knuckle-duster

American

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

noun

brass knuckles.

knuckle-duster British

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of knuckle-duster

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Caxirola - which looks like a mix between an avocado and a knuckle duster - is available for purchase on the governing body's website.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2014

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023