Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Kite \Kite\, n. [OE. kyte, AS. c?ta; cf. W. cud, cut.]
   1. (Zo["o]l.) Any raptorial bird of the subfamily
      {Milvin[ae]}, of which many species are known. They have
      long wings, adapted for soaring, and usually a forked
      tail.

   Note: The European species are {Milvus ictinus} and {M.
         govinda}; the sacred or Brahmany kite of India is
         {Haliastur Indus}; the American fork-tailed kite is the
         {Nauclerus furcatus}.

   2. Fig. : One who is rapacious.

            Detested kite, thou liest.            --Shak.

   3. A light frame of wood or other material covered with paper
      or cloth, for flying in the air at the end of a string.

   4. (Naut.) A lofty sail, carried only when the wind is light.

   5. (Geom.) A quadrilateral, one of whose diagonals is an axis
      of symmetry. --Henrici.

   6. Fictitious commercial paper used for raising money or to
      sustain credit, as a check which represents no deposit in
      bank, or a bill of exchange not sanctioned by sale of
      goods; an accommodation check or bill. [Cant]

   7. (Zo["o]l.) The brill. [Prov. Eng. ]

   {Flying kites}. (Naut.) See under {Flying}.

   {Kite falcon} (Zo["o]l.), an African falcon of the genus
      {Avicida}, having some resemblance to a kite.