penknife

American  

[pen-nahyf] / ˈpɛnˌnaɪf /

noun

penknives plural

1. a small pocketknife, formerly one used for making and sharpening quill pens.

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penknife British  

/ ˈpɛnˌnaɪf /

noun

1. a small knife with one or more blades that fold into the handle; pocketknife

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• penknives
  plural

Etymology

Origin of penknife

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at pen ¹, knife

Example Sentences

Gather up cardboard, penknife, paste, and calico scraps, and make a dollhouse bed with your kids this holiday week.

From Slate • Dec. 24, 2018

I tied a small silver penknife in the shape of a fish onto the laces of my Dr. Martens.

From New York Times • Jul. 3, 2018

In one meeting with MCA’s lawyers, Petty’s manager later said, Petty “had a penknife that he got out, opened the penknife and started cleaning his nails.”

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 9, 2017

I got her a penknife, and she got me a Tech Deck - you know, those finger-sized skateboards you used to play with in school?

From BBC • Mar. 1, 2017

It wouldn't go inside, he had to get out the ball of string and his penknife, to cut it with, and then tie the anorak on.

From "I'm the King of the Castle" by Susan Hill