knuckle

[ nuhk-uhl ]
See synonyms for knuckle on Thesaurus.com
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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

verb (used with object),knuck·led, knuck·ling.
  1. to rub or press with the knuckles.

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

Verb Phrases
  1. knuckle down,

    • to apply oneself vigorously and earnestly; become serious: Just knuckle down for an hour or so and finish the work.

    • Also knuckle under. to submit; yield.

Origin of knuckle

1
1325–75; Middle English knokel (akin to Dutch kneukel,German Knöchel), diminutive of a word represented by Dutch knok,German Knochen bone; see -le

Other words from knuckle

  • knuckly, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use knuckle in a sentence

  • He turned away, sat down on a divan, and let his big knuckly hands drop down between his knees.

    December Love | Robert Hichens
  • At Duke lane a ravenous terrier choked up a sick knuckly cud on the cobblestones and lapped it with new zest.

    Ulysses | James Joyce
  • Moreover, it was the knuckly end, scarcely less hurtful than the sharp edge of the sword which laid Walker (of London) low.

  • Mark turned his kind eyes on Miss Smeardon, and held her knuckly hand in his own almost tenderly.

    Robinetta | Kate Douglas Wiggin
  • At this Dougall held up a clenched hand, hard and knuckly from honest toil, that was nearly as big as a small ham.

    The Big Otter | R.M. Ballantyne

British Dictionary definitions for knuckle

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

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

  2. an angle joint between two members of a structure

  3. near the knuckle 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

Origin of knuckle

1
C14: related to Middle High German knöchel, Middle Low German knoke bone, Dutch knok

Derived forms of knuckle

  • knuckly, adjective

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with knuckle

knuckle

In addition to the idioms beginning with knuckle

  • knuckle down
  • knuckle under

also see:

  • rap someone's knuckles

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.