butter knife

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noun

a small knife with a dull blade, for cutting, serving, or spreading butter.

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Nearby words

butter, butter bean, butter brickle, butter clam, butter cookie, butter knife, butter muslin, butter sauce, butter someone up, butter spreader, butter tart

Origin of butter knife

First recorded in 1840–50

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for butter knife

Set the butter on two plates, one on either side, with a butter-knife by each.
A Treatise on Domestic Economy|Catherine Esther Beecher
My mother went to housekeeping with six teaspoons and a butter-knife, and thought herself rich.
Fernley House|Laura E. Richards
Use the butter-knife, salt-spoon, and sugar-tongs as scrupulously when alone, as if a room full of people were watching you.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness|Florence Hartley
Always make use of the butter-knife, sugar-spoon and salt-spoon, instead of using your knife, spoon or fingers.
Our Deportment|John H. Young

Always take butter with the butter-knife, and then do not forget to return that knife to the butter-plate.
The Scrap Book, Volume 1, No. 6|Various