knife edge

noun

1. the cutting edge of a knife.
2. anything very sharp.
3. a wedge on the fine edge of which a scale beam, pendulum, or the like, balances or oscillates.

knife edge

noun

1. the sharp cutting edge of a knife
2. any sharp edge
3. a sharp-edged wedge of hard material on which the beam of a balance pivots or about which a pendulum is suspended
4. a critical point in the development of a situation, process of making a decision, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of knife edge¹

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

It’ll keep your knife in exactly the right position, so you don’t have to worry about creating a weird angle on the knife edge.

From Popular-Science

Sukowa, perhaps best known for the films she made with Rainer Werner Fassbinder, walks this knife edge deftly.

From Time

Use a light touch, slope the knifeblade and slice with knife edge away from you (Figure 1).

From Project Gutenberg

He had hunted mountain sheep and imagined sun and frost had worn the rocks to something like a knife-edge.

From Project Gutenberg

In the heights are numerous ledges and knife-edge ridges on which but little snow can lodge.

From Project Gutenberg

This ruby pin acts on a knife edge, but for all that the engaging friction during the unlocking action is considerable.

From Project Gutenberg

The knife-edge is then turned forward and made to cut its way out.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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