knife

American  

[nahyf] / naɪf /

noun

plural

knives

1. an instrument for cutting, consisting essentially of a thin, sharp-edged, metal blade fitted with a handle.

2. a knifelike weapon; dagger or short sword.

3. any blade for cutting, as in a tool or machine.

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verb (used with object)

knifed, knifing

1. to apply a knife to; cut, stab, etc., with a knife.

2. to attempt to defeat or undermine in a secret or underhanded way.

verb (used without object)

knifed, knifing

1. to move or cleave through something with or as if with a knife.

   The ship knifed through the heavy seas.

idioms

1. under the knife, in surgery; undergoing a medical operation.

   The patient was under the knife for four hours.

knife British  

/ naɪf /

noun

1. a cutting instrument consisting of a sharp-edged often pointed blade of metal fitted into a handle or onto a machine

2. a similar instrument used as a weapon

3. to have a grudge against or victimize someone

4. to make a bad situation worse in a deliberately malicious way

5. people are determined to harm or put a stop to someone

   the knives are out for Stevens

6. undergoing a surgical operation

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verb

1. to cut, stab, or kill with a knife

2. to betray, injure, or depose in an underhand way

knife More Idioms  

1. see at gunpoint (knifepoint); under the knife; you could cut it with a knife.

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Other Word Forms

• knifelike adjective
• knifer noun

Etymology

Origin of knife

before 1100; Middle English knif, Old English cnīf; cognate with Dutch knijf, German Kneif, Old Norse knīfr

Example Sentences

"Scrapping them outright, while simultaneously increasing royalties, could become a double-edged knife," Gomashie said.

From Barron's

Mr Shoukat said staff using scissors and craft knives to open test kits was "how we would typically open up a sample" and commonplace among other laboratories.

From BBC

The rabbi of the Manchester synagogue where worshippers were killed in a knife attack has told of the fear and trauma he still feels.

From BBC

But SentimenTrader warned that it may be a case of “catching a falling knife,” given that investing in it involves extreme volatility and risk, and that the weather forecast is its “lifeline.”

From MarketWatch

Her haughty line deliveries and imperious bone structure cut through the screen like a knife.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bayonet
• blade
• cutter
• dagger
• machete
• scalpel
• sickle
• skewer
• sword