knuckling

Variant of knuckle

knuckle definition

knuckle (nuk′əl)

noun

    1. a joint of the finger; esp., the joint connecting a finger to the rest of the hand
    2. the rounded knob formed by the bones at such a joint
  2. the knee or hock joint and nearby parts of a pig or other animal, used as food
  3. something resembling a knuckle, as any of the projecting, cylindrical parts through which a pin is passed to form a hinge
  4. ☆ brass knuckles
  5. Archit. the central joint in a gambrel or curb roof

Etymology: ME knokyl < or akin to MDu & MLowG knokel, dim. of knoke, bone < IE *gneuĝ-: for IE base see knot

transitive verb knuckled -·led, knuckling -·ling

to strike, press, or touch with the knuckles
knuckle Idioms

knuckle down

☆
  1. to rest the knuckles on the ground in shooting a marble
  2. to work energetically or seriously

knuckle under

to yield; give in

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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