kneecapping

noun

1. (countable, gerund, uncountable)The act of injuring the knees of (a person), usually by shooting at the knees; often a punishment carried out by criminals or terrorists.

   “The mafiosi punished the informer by giving him a kneecapping.”

   “Five kneecappings have been reported this month.”

2. (broadly, countable, figuratively, gerund, uncountable)An excessively and needlessly damaging attack or disparagement.

verb

1. (form-of, gerund, participle, present)present participle and gerund of kneecap