/ naɪf; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
( pl. knives / naɪvz; NAmE /) a sharp blade with a handle, used for cutting or as a weapon :
knives and forks
a sharp knife
a bread knife (= one for cutting bread)
She was murdered in a frenzied knife attack.
—see also flick knife , jackknife , palette knife , paperknife , penknife , Stanley knife
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IDIOMS
- the knives are out (for sb)
- like a knife through butter
- put / stick the knife in | put / stick the knife into sb
- turn / twist the knife (in the wound)
- under the knife
■ verb
[ vn ] to injure or kill sb with a knife
SYN stab
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WORD ORIGIN
late Old English cnīf , from Old Norse knífr , of Germanic origin.