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 knife2: a sharp cutting blade or tool in a machine3: surgery 4 —usually used in the phrase under the knife

— knife·like \ˈnīf-ˌlīk\ adjective