knack

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a special way of doing something

   They had a knack for doing the right thing at the right time.

2. 2
   noun

   A readiness in performance; aptness at doing something.

   These men had some uncanny knack of knowing when the steel was right, and like many such things, it just could not be put into a textbook on the subject.

3. 3
   verb

   To crack; to make a sharp, abrupt noise; to chink.

   If they hear the Beads knack upon each other, that's enough.

4. 4
   noun

   A petty contrivance; a toy.

5. 5
   noun

   Something performed, or to be done, requiring aptness and dexterity.

6. 6
   verb

   To speak affectedly.

7. 7
   name

   A surname.

Etymology

Late Middle English, use as "special skill" from 1580. Possibly from 14th century Middle English krak, knack (“a sharp sound or blow”), knakke, knakken, from Middle Low German and of imitative origin, similar to Dutch knak (“snap, crack”). Latter cognate to German knacken (“to crack”). See also crack.