knife

[ nahyf ]

noun

plural knives

1. an instrument for cutting, consisting essentially of a thin, sharp-edged, metal blade fitted with a handle.
2. a knifelike weapon; dagger or short sword.
3. any blade for cutting, as in a tool or machine.

verb (used with object)

knifed, knifing.

1. to apply a knife to; cut, stab, etc., with a knife.
2. to attempt to defeat or undermine in a secret or underhanded way.

verb (used without object)

knifed, knifing.

1. to move or cleave through something with or as if with a knife:

   The ship knifed through the heavy seas.

knife

/ naɪf /

noun

1. a cutting instrument consisting of a sharp-edged often pointed blade of metal fitted into a handle or onto a machine
2. a similar instrument used as a weapon
3. have one's knife in someone
   to have a grudge against or victimize someone
4. twist the knife
   to make a bad situation worse in a deliberately malicious way
5. the knives are out for someone
   people are determined to harm or put a stop to someone

   the knives are out for Stevens

6. under the knife
   undergoing a surgical operation

verb

1. to cut, stab, or kill with a knife
2. to betray, injure, or depose in an underhand way

Derived Forms

• ˈknifeˌlike, adjective
• ˈknifer, noun

Other Word Forms

• knifelike adjective
• knifer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of knife¹

before 1100; Middle English knif, Old English cnīf; cognate with Dutch knijf, German Kneif, Old Norse knīfr

Word History and Origins

Origin of knife¹

Old English cnīf; related to Old Norse knīfr, Middle Low German knīf

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. under the knife, in surgery; undergoing a medical operation:

   The patient was under the knife for four hours.

More idioms and phrases containing knife

see at gunpoint (knifepoint) ; under the knife ; you could cut it with a knife .

Example Sentences

Perhaps that character was injured and had a limp, or in a video game, even though the actress is holding a pen, she has to hold it and move like she’s holding a knife.

From Los Angeles Times

The two-toed sloth went under the knife after keepers noticed swellings on the sides of its face, with investigations showing two root abscesses.

From BBC

A deadly February knife attack in the eastern city of Mulhouse would not have happened, Retailleau said, "if Algeria had respected the law and its obligations".

From BBC

Prosper used a shotgun and a knife in the attack that took place in his home on 13 September.

From BBC

He forced entry into his family’s Camarillo home, where he threatened multiple people with a knife.

From Los Angeles Times