bowie knife
[boh-ee, boo-ee]
- a heavy sheath knife having a long, single-edged blade.
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Origin of bowie knife
1830–40, Americanism; named after James Bowie, for whom the knife was designed, either by James or his brother Rezin P. Bowie (1793–1841)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for bowie knife
Historical Examples
He seizes him by the neck an' rips him to pieces wi' his bowie-knife.
Murder PointConingsby Dawson
He drew his bowie-knife and brandished it as high as his arm could reach.
When the West Was YoungFrederick R. Bechdolt
His own bowie-knife was in his hand now, and he stabbed the foremost 286 through the throat.
When the West Was YoungFrederick R. Bechdolt
That blaze which was done to muddle you was cut with an axe; this which I made was done with a bowie-knife.
In the Carquinez WoodsBret Harte
I am attached to you as the blade of my bowie-knife is to the hilt I am yours, body and soul.
The Gold-SeekersGustave Aimard
bowie knife
- a stout hunting knife with a short hilt and a guard for the hand
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Word Origin
C19: named after Jim Bowie, who popularized it
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for bowie knife
1827, named for its inventor, U.S. fighter and frontiersman Col. James "Jim" Bowie (1799-1836), and properly pronounced "boo-ee."
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper