fruit knife

American  

noun

1. a small knife, usually having a distinctive handle and a stainless steel blade with a sharp or serrated edge, used at table for paring and cutting fruit.

---

fruit knife British  

noun

1. a small stainless knife for cutting fruit

---

Etymology

Origin of fruit knife

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

Police said it was carried out by a 45-year-old woman, who used a fruit knife.

From BBC

Police also found a fruit knife in his bag.

From Washington Times

Ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert in the face with a fruit knife at a forum, leaving a deep gash to his face that required 80 stitches.

From Reuters

In all, Trainer had stolen 42 gold rings, 13 gold brooches, 12 silver watch chains, eight gold pendants, six watches, four silver serviette rings, two silver button hooks, one jewelled gold bracelet, one gold pencil case, one silver fruit knife, one silver matchbox, one scent bottle and one silver medal, worth a total of more than £40, plus several other articles that were never found.

From The Guardian

“Gentle Reader: With a knife and fork. A fruit knife and an oyster fork, to be specific. For pity’s sake, what is this world coming to? Miss Manners doesn’t mind explaining the finer points of gracious living, but feels that anyone who doesn’t have the sense to pick up a potato chip and stuff it into his mouth probably should not be running around loose on the streets.”

From Washington Post