knife edge
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noun
the cutting edge of a knife.
anything very sharp.
a wedge on the fine edge of which a scale beam, pendulum, or the like, balances or oscillates.
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QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!
Set some time apart to test your bracket symbol knowledge, and see if you can keep your parentheses, squares, curlies, and angles all straight!
Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Origin of knife edge
First recorded in 1810–20
Words nearby knife edge
knickpoint, Knies, Kniest syndrome, knife, knife box, knife edge, knife-edged, knife grinder, knifeman, knife pleat, knifepoint
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for knife edge
British Dictionary definitions for knife edge
knife edge
noun
the sharp cutting edge of a knife
any sharp edge
a sharp-edged wedge of hard material on which the beam of a balance pivots or about which a pendulum is suspended
a critical point in the development of a situation, process of making a decision, etc
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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