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

Jurors were told that Mr Whyteside, of Chesterfield Road, Dawley, was seen carrying a knuckle-duster as he looked for the children's bicycles, which had been taken from outside his home earlier the same day.

From BBC

They're kind of little knuckle-duster lightsabers.

From Los Angeles Times

Today, she is an unlikely mix of dress-down casual and showbiz glam – black tracksuit bottoms, a black-and-white striped sweatshirt, trainers, false eyelashes with which you could sweep the floor and a huge diamond knuckle-duster on her wedding finger.

From The Guardian

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

From The Guardian