1. the act of shooting someone in the kneecap as a form of punishment or intimidation
Usage: informal; violent

Examples

• The gang used kneecapping as a way to punish those who betrayed them.
• Kneecapping was a common form of punishment during the conflict.
• The victim survived the kneecapping but required extensive surgery.
• Police investigated several cases of kneecapping in the neighborhood.
• The practice of kneecapping left many people permanently disabled.