knife Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle
  2. noun a weapon with a handle and blade with a sharp point
  3. noun any long thin projection that is transient
    tongue.
    • tongues of flame licked at the walls
    • rifles exploded quick knives of fire into the dark
  4. verb use a knife on
    stab.
    • The victim was knifed to death

WordNet


Knife noun
Etymology
OE. knif, AS. cnif; akin to D. knijf, Icel. knifr, Sw. knif, Dan. kniv.
Wordforms
plural Knives
Definitions
  1. An instrument consisting of a thin blade, usually of steel and having a sharp edge for cutting, fastened to a handle, but of many different forms and names for different uses; as, table knife, drawing knife, putty knife, pallet knife, pocketknife, penknife, chopping knife, etc. .
  2. A sword or dagger.
    The coward conquest of a wretch's knife. Shak.
Knife transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Knifed ; present participle & verbal noun Knifing
Definitions
  1. (Hort.) To prune with the knife.
  2. To cut or stab with a knife. Low

Webster 1913