paper knife
Americannoun
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a small, often decorative, knifelike instrument with a blade of metal, ivory, wood, or the like, for slitting open envelopes, the leaves of books, folded papers, etc.
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the blade of a paper cutter.
Etymology
Origin of paper knife
First recorded in 1800–10
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.
He found it quite easy to get around in Manhattan until he asked for a "paper knife."
From Time Magazine Archive
A discomfiting distinction between a "paper knife" and a "paper cutter."
From Time Magazine Archive
Then he took his ivory paper knife and carefully slit it open.
From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly
He was sitting quite upright in his chair, the fingers of his right hand toying lazily with an ancient paper knife, fashioned of yellow ivory.
From The Wicked Marquis by Oppenheim, E. Phillips (Edward Phillips)
Ruxton ran a paper knife through the envelopes.
From The Men Who Wrought by Cullum, Ridgwell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
