knuckle

[nuhk-uhl]

noun

1. a joint of a finger, especially one of the articulations of a metacarpal with a phalanx.

2. the rounded prominence of such a joint when the finger is bent.

3. a joint of meat, consisting of the parts about the carpal or tarsal joint of a quadruped.

4. an angle or protrusion at the intersection of two members or surfaces, as in the timbers of a ship or in a roof.

5. brass knuckles.

6. a cylindrical projecting part on a hinge, through which an axis or pin passes; the joint of a hinge.

7. (in a wire mesh) a bend in a wire crossing another wire.

8. (on a chair arm) one of the ridges left at the front end by longitudinal flutes carved to accommodate the fingers.

9. Nautical.,  a pronounced edge formed by a change in the form of the shell of a hull.

verb (used with object)

knuckled, knuckling 

1. to rub or press with the knuckles.

2. Marbles.,  to shoot (a marble) from the thumb and forefinger.

verb phrase

1. knuckle down

   1. to apply oneself vigorously and earnestly; become serious.

      Just knuckle down for an hour or so and finish the work.

   2. Also knuckle under. to submit; yield.

knuckle

/ ˈnʌkəl /

noun

1. a joint of a finger, esp that connecting a finger to the hand

2. a joint of veal, pork, etc, consisting of the part of the leg below the knee joint, often used in making stews or stock

3. the cylindrical portion of a hinge through which the pin passes

4. an angle joint between two members of a structure

5. informal,  approaching indecency

verb

1. (tr) to rub or press with the knuckles

2. (intr) to keep the knuckles on the ground while shooting a marble

Other Word Forms

• knuckly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of knuckle¹

1325–75; Middle English knokel (akin to Dutch kneukel, German Knöchel ), diminutive of a word represented by Dutch knok, German Knochen bone; -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of knuckle¹

C14: related to Middle High German knöchel, Middle Low German knoke bone, Dutch knok

Idioms and Phrases

• rap someone's knuckles

Example Sentences

Dad booms, gripping the bat with his gigantic knuckles.

Read more on Literature

The old woman’s knuckles were so swollen with arthritis, Penelope wondered if she could even remove the large jeweled rings she wore on each finger, or whether she would have to be buried in them.

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Penelope returned to her chair as if in slow motion; when she folded her hands in her lap, her knuckles turned white.

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“Joylette, are you home?” a woman’s voice called out to my mother by her first name as her knuckles rapped on the door.

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However, England's high-quality bench knuckled down, earned territory and, after George Ford had slotted a penalty, Roebuck went over to choruses of 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot'.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• bow 
• break down 
• buckle 
• capitulate 
• cave in 
• cease 
• defer 
• give in 
• give way 
• go down 
• pass away 
• perish 
• quit 
• wilt 
• yield