knuckle

[ nuhk-uhl ]

noun

1. a joint of a finger, especially one of the articulations of a metacarpal with a phalanx.
2. the rounded prominence of such a joint when the finger is bent.
3. a joint of meat, consisting of the parts about the carpal or tarsal joint of a quadruped.
4. an angle or protrusion at the intersection of two members or surfaces, as in the timbers of a ship or in a roof.
5. brass knuckles.
6. a cylindrical projecting part on a hinge, through which an axis or pin passes; the joint of a hinge.
7. (in a wire mesh) a bend in a wire crossing another wire.
8. (on a chair arm) one of the ridges left at the front end by longitudinal flutes carved to accommodate the fingers.
9. Nautical. a pronounced edge formed by a change in the form of the shell of a hull.

verb (used with object)

, knuck·led, knuck·ling.

1. to rub or press with the knuckles.
2. Marbles. to shoot (a marble) from the thumb and forefinger.

verb phrase

1. 1. to apply oneself vigorously and earnestly; become serious:

      Just knuckle down for an hour or so and finish the work.

   2. Also knuckle under. to submit; yield.

knuckle

/ ˈnʌkəl /

noun

1. a joint of a finger, esp that connecting a finger to the hand
2. a joint of veal, pork, etc, consisting of the part of the leg below the knee joint, often used in making stews or stock
3. the cylindrical portion of a hinge through which the pin passes
4. an angle joint between two members of a structure
5. near the knuckle informal.
   approaching indecency

verb

1. tr to rub or press with the knuckles
2. intr to keep the knuckles on the ground while shooting a marble

Derived Forms

• ˈknuckly, adjective

Other Words From

• knuck·ly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of knuckle¹

1325–75; Middle English knokel (akin to Dutch kneukel, German Knöchel ), diminutive of a word represented by Dutch knok, German Knochen bone; -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of knuckle¹

C14: related to Middle High German knöchel, Middle Low German knoke bone, Dutch knok

Idioms and Phrases

• rap someone's knuckles

Example Sentences

While most everyone agrees Lurie is a nice guy, they aren’t sure he’s got the knuckles and elbows it can take to lead.

From Los Angeles Times

"We have turnovers, liners, hooks, boomerangs, knuckles. And they all do different things," Koch said in an interview with the NFL in 2016.

From BBC

Clutching a smooth rock in her fist so she doesn’t bruise her knuckles, Banuet, 62, spends several hours every day, five days a week, knocking on doors in Phoenix and surrounding suburbs.

From Los Angeles Times

I would never rule out a return to boxing, buy my goal now is to win a bare knuckle world title and become a two-sport world champion.

From BBC

In his autobiography, he talks about blinking 100 times a minute and chewing his knuckles.

From BBC

Related Words

• abandon
• capitulate
• cede
• commit
• concede
• give in
• hand over
• leave
• quit
• relinquish
• renounce
• submit
• succumb
• waive
• yield