dictionary definitions for "knife"


From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:

  knife
      n 1: edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade
           with a sharp edge and a handle
      2: a weapon with a handle and blade with a sharp point
      3: any long thin projection that is transient; "tongues of flame
         licked at the walls"; "rifles exploded quick knives of fire
         into the dark" [syn: tongue, knife]
      v 1: use a knife on; "The victim was knifed to death" [syn:
           knife, stab]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Knife \Knife\ (n[imac]f), n.; pl. Knives (n[imac]vz). [OE.
     knif, AS. cn[imac]f; akin to D. knijf, Icel. kn[imac]fr, Sw.
     knif, Dan. kniv.]
     1. An instrument consisting of a thin blade, usually of steel
        and having a sharp edge for cutting, fastened to a handle,
        but of many different forms and names for different uses;
        as, table knife, drawing knife, putty knife, pallet knife,
        pocketknife, penknife, chopping knife, etc..
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A sword or dagger.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              The coward conquest of a wretch's knife. --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Knife grass (Bot.) a tropical American sedge ({Scleria
        latifolia}), having leaves with a very sharp and hard
        edge, like a knife.
  
     War to the knife, mortal combat; a conflict carried to the
        last extremity.
        [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Knife \Knife\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Knifed; p. pr. & vb. n.
     Knifing.]
     1. (Hort.) To prune with the knife.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. To cut or stab with a knife. [Low]
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. Fig.: To stab in the back; to try to defeat by underhand
        means, esp. in politics; to vote or work secretly against
        (a candidate of one's own party). [Slang, U. S.]
        [Webster 1913 Suppl.]


online dictionary by shmop.net