n. & v.
n. 1 a the joint between the forearm and the upper arm. b the part of the sleeve of a garment covering the elbow. 2 an elbow-shaped bend or corner; a short piece of piping bent through a right angle.
v.tr. (foll. by in, out, aside, etc.) 1 thrust or jostle (a person or oneself). 2 make (one's way) by thrusting or jostling. at one's elbow close at hand. elbow-grease colloq. vigorous polishing; hard work. elbow-room plenty of room to move or work in. give a person the elbow colloq. send a person away; dismiss or reject a person. out at elbows 1 (of a coat) worn out. 2 (of a person) ragged, poor.
[ OE elboga, elnboga, f. Gmc (as ELL, BOW(1)) ]