knife-edge Hear it!

knife-edge Definition

knife·-edge (nīf′ej′)

noun

  1. the edge of a knife
  2. any very sharp edge
  3. a metal wedge whose fine edge serves as the fulcrum for a scale beam, pendulum, etc.

knife-edge Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • walk: It warns that they are walking a knife-edge as over three-quarters of companies now keep a close watch on their staffâs online behavior.

Adjective modifier

  • financial: Overall, 2m households are on a financial knife-edge, and half a million are already having serious difficulties servicing debt.

Modifies a noun

  • ridge: Meanwhile at the sharp end Chidds and John D were making more good progress up the knife-edge ridge.
  • vote: Labour's best chance might be a split opposition. HIGHGATE Another knife-edge vote.
  • election: Mail On Sunday September 2005 As Germany reels from a knife-edge election, Brits vote for its bargain homes... .
  • arete: The next line takes the clean knife-edge arête forming the left side of the pinnacle; this is destined to become a minor classic.
  • decision: Westminster or the Assembly was always a knife-edge decision for me.
  • summit: David says that he was surprised at how challenging Lhakpa Ri was and commented on the spectacular 50 meter knife-edge summit ridge.