paper knife

noun

1. a small, often decorative, knifelike instrument with a blade of metal, ivory, wood, or the like, for slitting open envelopes, the leaves of books, folded papers, etc.
2. the blade of a paper cutter.

Word History and Origins

Origin of paper knife¹

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

Mo turned around with the paper knife pretending to point it at her threateningly.

From Literature

A campaign for Pillsbury relied on a paper knife to highlight the texture of its canned frosting, a stunt that changed many Americans’ perception of the product.

From New York Times

Supposing I were to die, as I sit at this table, playing with my indian paper knife—what would be the difference.

From The New Yorker

It took Reilly about seven minutes to map the route on a computer, print a paper copy, slice it up with a paper knife, then bind it into a neat, 51-page booklet.

From Washington Times

It was an ornamental, stainless-steel object with a pointed blade four to six inches-long, which could have been used as a paper knife, and had been kept in a kitchen display cabinet, he said.

From BBC