knife

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an edged tool used as a cutting instrument or weapon

   Can you pass me a knife so that I can cut my steak?

2. 2
   verb

   to use a knife on

   The victim was knifed to death.

3. 3
   noun

   A utensil or a tool designed for cutting, consisting of a flat piece of hard material, usually steel or other metal (the blade), usually sharpened on one edge, attached to a handle. The blade may be pointed for piercing.

   He was looking for a knife to chop some steak.

4. 4
   verb

   To use a knife to injure or kill by stabbing, slashing, or otherwise using the sharp edge of the knife as a weapon.

   She was repeatedly knifed in the chest.

5. 5
   verb

   To cut through as if with a knife.

   The boat knifed through the water.

6. 6
   noun

   A weapon designed with the aforementioned specifications intended for slashing or stabbing but too short to be called a sword; a dagger.

7. 7
   noun

   Any blade-like part in a tool or a machine designed for cutting, such as that of a chipper.

8. 8
   verb

   To cut with a knife.

Etymology

From Middle English knyf, knif, from late Old English cnīf, from Old Norse knífr, from Proto-Germanic *knībaz, from *knīpaną (“to pinch”), Proto-Indo-European *gneybʰ- (compare Lithuanian gnýbti, žnýbti (“to pinch”), gnaibis (“pinching”)). Displaced native Middle English sax (“knife”) from Old English seax; and Middle English coutel, qwetyll (“knife”) from Old French coutel. The verb knife is attested since the 1860s; the variant knive is attested since 1733. Cognates Cognate with Yola kunnife (“knife”), North Frisian knif (“knife”), Dutch knijf (“long pointy knife, poniard”), German Knifte (“…