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

David Cameron was rapped on the knuckles when he claimed the late queen "purred" down the phone line when he told her the result of the Scottish referendum.

Read more on BBC

Mr Teller said the name was also inspired by the distinctive pale "knuckles" on the small leg-like appendages at the side of the spider's mouth.

Read more on BBC

"Guys, I just got poked knuckle deep in the eyeball. Why are you booing? I can't see," said a crestfallen Aspinall.

Read more on BBC

“This step up in tensions has created a white knuckle moment for the markets with tech stocks under major pressure,” Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives wrote to clients on Friday.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

On Wednesday, Joshua Michael Richardson, 38, was charged with felony criminal threats and possession of six high-capacity gun magazines, brass knuckles and a sword, according to the Orange County district attorney’s office.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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