pocketknife

[pok-it-nahyf]

noun

plural

pocketknives 

1. a knife with one or more blades that fold into the handle, suitable for carrying in the pocket.

pocketknife

/ ˈpɒkɪtˌnaɪf /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of pocketknife¹

First recorded in 1720–30; pocket + knife

Example Sentences

When he put his head down, one slashed his jugular vein with a pocketknife while another stole his laptop, clothes and passport, according to Pellegrino.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The other took Juan’s pocketknife and stabbed him in the leg, he said.

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As Mom signed me in to camp, I watched the kids stab at trees with pocketknives.

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He also placed his hand puppets on wall-mounted boxes and ordered his collection of daggers and pocketknives just so.

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One of the men, 22, of Maple Valley, punched her several times before taking out a pocketknife and repeatedly stabbing her, police said.

Read more on Seattle Times