knuckle
a joint of a finger, especially one of the articulations of a metacarpal with a phalanx.
the rounded prominence of such a joint when the finger is bent.
a joint of meat, consisting of the parts about the carpal or tarsal joint of a quadruped.
an angle or protrusion at the intersection of two members or surfaces, as in the timbers of a ship or in a roof.
a cylindrical projecting part on a hinge, through which an axis or pin passes; the joint of a hinge.
(in a wire mesh) a bend in a wire crossing another wire.
(on a chair arm) one of the ridges left at the front end by longitudinal flutes carved to accommodate the fingers.
Nautical. a pronounced edge formed by a change in the form of the shell of a hull.
to rub or press with the knuckles.
Marbles. to shoot (a marble) from the thumb and forefinger.
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
1Other 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 HichensAt Duke lane a ravenous terrier choked up a sick knuckly cud on the cobblestones and lapped it with new zest.
Ulysses | James JoyceMoreover, 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 WigginAt 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
/ (ˈnʌkəl) /
a joint of a finger, esp that connecting a finger to the hand
a joint of veal, pork, etc, consisting of the part of the leg below the knee joint, often used in making stews or stock
the cylindrical portion of a hinge through which the pin passes
an angle joint between two members of a structure
near the knuckle informal approaching indecency
(tr) to rub or press with the knuckles
(intr) to keep the knuckles on the ground while shooting a marble
Origin of knuckle
1- See also knuckle down, knuckle under
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
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.
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