knuckle-duster

American  

[nuhk-uhl-duhs-ter] / ˈnʌk əlˌdʌs tər /

noun

1. brass knuckles.

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knuckle-duster British  

noun

1. (often plural) a metal bar fitted over the knuckles, often with holes for the fingers, for inflicting injury by a blow with the fist

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Etymology

Origin of knuckle-duster

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60

Example Sentences

Thatcher’s attack dog, the Tory lawmaker Norman Tebbit, was so obnoxious throughout his time in government that his character on the satirical puppet show “Spitting Image” was a leather-jacketed skinhead wielding a knuckle-duster.

From Washington Post

He wears a red polo shirt, knuckle-duster rings and the general high-definition radiance of his celebrity.

From The Guardian

Look at him, dumbly stuffing six on to each hand like a useless Swiss knuckle-duster.

From The Guardian

"Aye, plenty o' belaying-pin soup, an' knuckle-duster hash!"

From Project Gutenberg

Each finger bore a ring resembling a knuckle-duster, three mushroom-like projections springing from each oval shield.

From Project Gutenberg