bowie knife

[ boh-ee, boo-ee ]

noun

1. a heavy sheath knife having a long, single-edged blade.

bowie knife

/ ˈbəʊɪ /

noun

1. a stout hunting knife with a short hilt and a guard for the hand

Word History and Origins

Origin of bowie knife¹

1830–40, Americanism; named after James Bowie, for whom the knife was designed, either by James or his brother Rezin P. Bowie (1793–1841)

Word History and Origins

Origin of bowie knife¹

C19: named after Jim Bowie , who popularized it

Example Sentences

Political dignity transfigured the village out of its buckskin and bowie-knife existence, into a leisurely civic siesta.

From Project Gutenberg

Her right fingers are closed round the handle of a large bowie-knife, which is covered with blood; parts of the left are missing.

From Project Gutenberg

He rode in before breakfast and at the appointed hour he was promptly on hand armed with a brace of pistols and a bowie knife.

From Project Gutenberg

While the other four were looking around through the city for a purchaser, Dan was guarding me with his bowie knife and pistols.

From Project Gutenberg

I had no weapon of defence but a long bowie knife which I had slipped from the Deacon.

From Project Gutenberg