knife

[nahyf]

noun

plural

knives 

1. an instrument for cutting, consisting essentially of a thin, sharp-edged, metal blade fitted with a handle.

2. a knifelike weapon; dagger or short sword.

3. any blade for cutting, as in a tool or machine.

verb (used with object)

knifed, knifing 

1. to apply a knife to; cut, stab, etc., with a knife.

2. to attempt to defeat or undermine in a secret or underhanded way.

verb (used without object)

knifed, knifing 

1. to move or cleave through something with or as if with a knife.

   The ship knifed through the heavy seas.

knife

/ naɪf /

noun

1. a cutting instrument consisting of a sharp-edged often pointed blade of metal fitted into a handle or onto a machine

2. a similar instrument used as a weapon

3. to have a grudge against or victimize someone

4. to make a bad situation worse in a deliberately malicious way

5. people are determined to harm or put a stop to someone

   the knives are out for Stevens

6. undergoing a surgical operation

verb

1. to cut, stab, or kill with a knife

2. to betray, injure, or depose in an underhand way

Other Word Forms

• knifelike adjective
• knifer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of knife¹

before 1100; Middle English knif, Old English cnīf; cognate with Dutch knijf, German Kneif, Old Norse knīfr

Word History and Origins

Origin of knife¹

Old English cnīf; related to Old Norse knīfr, Middle Low German knīf

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. under the knife, in surgery; undergoing a medical operation.

   The patient was under the knife for four hours.

see at gunpoint (knifepoint); under the knife; you could cut it with a knife.

Example Sentences

"There was blood everywhere - people were screaming, 'he's got a knife'."

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Germany in recent months has seen several knife attacks, as well as attacks with jihadist and far-right motives that have thrown a focus on security measures.

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Wren Chambers was on the train that stopped at Huntingdon and first became aware that something was amiss when a man bolted down the carriage with a bloody arm, saying "they've got a knife, run".

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Witnesses told Sky News they saw a man holding a large knife on the platform after the train halted.

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Witnesses reported that police used a Taser on one man who was holding a knife.

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Related Words

• bayonet 
• blade 
• cutter 
• dagger 
• machete 
• scalpel 
• sickle 
• skewer 
• sword