Knead (nēd), 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.
The kneading, the making of the cake, the heating of the oven, and the baking. Shak.
2. Fig.: To treat or form as by kneading; to beat.
I will knead him: I'll make him supple. Shak.
Kneading trough, a trough or tray in which dough is kneaded. Ex. viii. 3.