v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Kneaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Kneading. ] [ OE. kneden, As. cnedan; akin to D. kneden, G. kneten, Sw. knåda, Icel. knoða; cf. OSlav. gnesti. ] 1. To work and press into a mass, usually with the hands; esp., to work, as by repeated pressure with the knuckles, into a well mixed mass, as the materials of bread, cake, etc.; as, to knead dough. [ 1913 Webster ]

The kneading, the making of the cake, the heating of the oven, and the baking. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Fig.: To treat or form as by kneading; to beat. [ 1913 Webster ]

I will knead him : I'll make him supple. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To press repeatedly with the hands or knuckles, sometimes with a twisting or squeezing motion; -- performed for example on the body of a person as a form of massage. [ PJC ]

Kneading trough, a trough or tray in which dough is kneaded. Ex. viii. 3. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To perform movements like kneading, with the paws; -- said of cats, which may knead{ 3 } a master's body when stroked, presumably a sign of contentment; as, a cat kneading and purring in his master's lap. [ PJC ]

a. That may be kneaded; capable of being worked into a mass. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who kneads. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In the manner of one kneading. [ 1913 Webster ]