Main Entry: ¹knife

Pronunciation: \ˈnīf\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural knives \ˈnīvz\

Usage: often attributive

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

Date: before 12th century

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