Knuckle Definition

nŭkəl
knuckled, knuckles, knuckling
noun
knuckles
A joint of the finger; esp., the joint connecting a finger to the rest of the hand.
Webster's New World
The rounded knob formed by the bones at such a joint.
Webster's New World
The knee or hock joint and nearby parts of a pig or other animal, used as food.
Webster's New World
Something resembling a knuckle, as any of the projecting, cylindrical parts through which a pin is passed to form a hinge.
Webster's New World
A sharp angle formed by the meeting of two surfaces, especially two ship's timbers.
American Heritage
verb
To strike, press, or touch with the knuckles.
Webster's New World
To shoot (a marble) with the thumb over the bent forefinger.
American Heritage

To apply pressure, or rub or massage with one's knuckles.

He knuckled the sleep from his eyes.
Wiktionary
idiom
knuckle down
  • to rest the knuckles on the ground in shooting a marble
  • to work energetically or seriously
Webster's New World
knuckle under
  • to yield; give in
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Knuckle

Noun

Singular:
knuckle
Plural:
knuckles

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Knuckle

Origin of Knuckle

  • From Middle English knokel (“finger joint”), ultimately from a diminutive of Proto-Germanic root *knuck- "bone". Cognate with Dutch knokkel (“knuckle”).

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English knokel

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

Find Similar Words

Find similar words to knuckle using the buttons below.

Words Starting With

Words Ending With

Unscrambles

knuckle