butter knife

noun

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

Origin of butter knife

First recorded in 1840–50

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for butter knife

Historical Examples of butter knife

"It's my practice to mix the bitter with the sweet," said the doctor, waving the butter-knife.
Prudy Keeping House
Sophie May
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
Set the butter on two plates, one on either side, with a butter-knife by each.
A Treatise on Domestic Economy
Catherine Esther Beecher
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
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