dessert knife

American  

noun

1. a knife used during the dessert course, usually somewhat smaller than a dinner knife.

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Etymology

Origin of dessert knife

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

After which I watched him show with three bits of bread and two olives and a dessert knife the way in which the German army could be destroyed.

From Moonbeams from the Larger Lunacy by Leacock, Stephen

"The statesman, my friends, exists by one single quality," said the Minister, playing with his gold and mother-of-pearl dessert knife.

From Another Study of Woman by Bell, Clara

Good God, jim"—she sent her dessert knife skimming across the table—"don't you see?

From The Fortunate Youth by Locke, William John

But the soldiers who, in lieu of a serviceable blade, found themselves in possession of a dessert knife may have taken a different view of the transaction.

From England and Germany by Hughes, William Morris

"Then it comes to this," said Mr. Wade, drawing lines on the tablecloth with his dessert knife as if it were a balance-sheet, and he was casting the final totals there.

From Roden's Corner by Merriman, Henry Seton