Kite

(kit.) [From A. S. cyta.] (Zool.) The common name of Ictinia, a genus of Falcons, distinguished from other Falcon ide by having the tail forked, the wings large, and the bill and talons weaker.-(Sports.) A well-known toy used for boys' play, consisting of a slight wooden frame covered with paper, and constructed so as to rise in the air, where, by the aid of a long string, and balanced by ade pending weight called its tail, it may be allowed to fly at the pleasure of the person who holds it. Franklin first used a K. for the purpose of raising an electrical conductor into the air, and bringing down atmospheric electricity. [s. 517]