knife

¹knife

noun, often attributive \ˈnīf\

plural knives \ˈnīvz\

Definition of KNIFE

1

a : a cutting instrument consisting of a sharp blade fastened to a handle

b : a weapon resembling a knife

2

: a sharp cutting blade or tool in a machine

3

: surgery 4 —usually used in the phrase under the knife

— knife·like \ˈnīf-ˌlīk\ adjective

Examples of KNIFE

1. Each dinner guest gets two forks, a knife, and a spoon.
2. He pulled a knife on me and threatened to stab me with it.

Origin of KNIFE

Middle English knif, from Old English cnīf, perhaps from Old Norse knīfr; akin to Middle Low German knīf knife

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to KNIFE

Synonyms

blade, cutter, shank [slang], shiv [slang]

Related Words

cleaver, hack; bayonet, bodkin, bolo, bowie knife, cutlass, dagger, dirk, jackknife, machete, pocketknife, poniard, sheath knife, stiletto, stylet, switchblade, switch knife, yataghan; rapier, saber (or sabre), steel, sword; scalpel

Other Weapons and Explosives Terms

automatic, carbine, cudgel, muzzle, rapier

Rhymes with KNIFE

fife, Fife, life, rife, strife, wife

²knife

verb

knifedknif·ing

Definition of KNIFE

transitive verb

1

: to use a knife on; specifically : to stab, slash, or wound with a knife

2

: to cut, mark, or spread with a knife

3

: to try to defeat by underhanded means

4

: to move like a knife in <birds knifing the autumn sky>

intransitive verb

: to cut a way with or as if with a knife blade <the cruiser knifed through the heavy seas>

Examples of KNIFE

1. He died after being knifed in the chest.
2. ships knifing through the waves

First Known Use of KNIFE

1865

knife

noun \ˈnīf\   (Medical Dictionary)

plural ; knives \ˈnīvz\ (audio pronunciation)

Medical Definition of KNIFE

1

: any of various instruments used in surgery primarily to sever tissues: as a : a cutting instrument consisting of a sharp blade attached to a handle b : an instrument that cuts by means of an electric current

2

: surgery 3—usually used in the phrase under the knife <went under the knife yesterday> <was afraid of the knife>