barlow
noun
a large pocketknife with one blade.
barlow
1 American
[bahr-loh]
/ ˈbɑr loʊ /
noun
South Midland and Southern U.S.
Barlow
2
American
[bahr-loh]
/ ˈbɑr loʊ /
noun
Etymology
Origin of barlow
1770–80, after a family of Sheffield cutlers named Barlow, who are alleged to have produced a knife of this type before 1700
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
There repose a barlow knife and a buck knife for whittling when somebody makes him wait and a hard Arkansas whetstone for sharpening when somebody makes him wait longer.
From Time Magazine Archive
Every girl got a ribbon, every boy a barlow knife, and every man a shin plaster.
From Slave Narratives: a Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves South Carolina Narratives, Part 1 by Work Projects Administration
I believe I'll go over and offer them my old barlow knife.
From The Adventures of Uncle Jeremiah and Family at the Great Fair Their Observations and Triumphs by Stevens, C. M. (Charles McClellan)
Indiana officials plan to announce this week the state is pausing new enrollments of autism-therapy providers with its Medicaid program, said Marcus Barlow, a senior official at the state agency overseeing Medicaid.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 2, 2026
He created a "memorable character in David Barlow and will forever be remembered as one of the original cast members", they added.
From BBC ● May 14, 2026
He was a cast member of the soap for nine years - playing the brother of Ken Barlow, played by William Roache.
From BBC ● May 14, 2026
Dr Cat Barlow, CEO of the charity Restoring Upland Nature, will lead a public consultation into a release alongside Forestry England.
From BBC ● Apr. 14, 2026
His stagecoach was robbed by the outlaw Kissin' Kate Barlow.
From "Holes" by Louis Sachar
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
