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

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Other Weapons and Explosives Terms

automatic, carbine, cudgel, muzzle, rapier

Rhymes with KNIFE

fife, Fife, life, rife, strife, wife