knife Hear it!

knife definition

knife (nīf)

noun pl. knives

  1. a cutting or stabbing instrument with a sharp blade, single-edged or double-edged, set in a handle
  2. a cutting blade, as in a machine

Etymology: ME knif < OE cnif, akin to Ger kneif, ON knīfr < IE *gneibh- (> Lith gnaibis, a pinching): for base see knead

transitive verb knifed, knifing knif′·ing

  1. to cut or stab with a knife
  2. ☆ Informal to use underhanded methods in order to hurt, defeat, or betray

intransitive verb

to pass into or through something quickly, like a sharp knife

Related Forms:

knife Idioms

under the knife

☆
Informal undergoing surgery

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