knuckle Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a joint of a finger when the fist is closed
    metacarpophalangeal joint; knuckle joint.
  2. verb press or rub with the knuckles
  3. verb shoot a marble while keeping one's knuckles on the ground

WordNet

Knuc"kle noun
Etymology
OE. knokel, knokil, AS. cuncel; akin to D. knokkel, OFries. knokele, knokle, G. knöchel, Sw. knoge, Dan. knokkel, G. knochen bone, and perh. to E. knock.
Definitions
  1. The joint of a finger, particularly when made prominent by the closing of the fingers. Davenant.
  2. The kneejoint, or middle joint, of either leg of a quadruped, especially of a calf; -- formerly used of the kneejoint of a human being.
    With weary knuckles on thy brim she kneeled sadly down. Golding.
  3. The joint of a plant. Obs. Bacon.
  4. (Mech.) The joining pars of a hinge through which the pin or rivet passes; a knuckle joint.
  5. (Shipbuilding) A convex portion of a vessel's figure where a sudden change of shape occurs, as in a canal boat, where a nearly vertical side joins a nearly flat bottom.
  6. A contrivance, usually of brass or iron, and furnished with points, worn to protect the hand, to add force to a blow, and to disfigure the person struck; as, brass knuckles; -- called also knuckle duster. Slang.
Knuc"kle intransitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Knuckled ;; present participle & verbal noun Knuckling
Definitions
  1. To yield; to submit; -- used with down, to, or under.
Knuc"kle transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To beat with the knuckles; to pommel. R. Horace Smith.

Webster 1913