KNACK


Meaning of KNACK in English

I. ˈnak noun

( -s )

Etymology: Middle English knak, knakke

1.

a. : a task or chore requiring adroitness and dexterity

b. : a clever way of doing something

c. : trick , scheme , stratagem

2.

a. : a special ready capacity that is hard to analyze or teach for dexterous adroit performance especially of the unusual, technical, or difficult

the knack of writing unforgettable, irresistible melodies — Roland Gelatt

b. : trait , tendency , inclination ; especially : one strictly individual and difficult to explain or analyze

these rents in the interior of the earth had a knack of enlarging themselves — Norman Douglas

3.

a. archaic : an ingenious device : a cleverly made contrivance ; broadly : toy , trinket , knickknack

b. obsolete : a dainty article of food : delicacy

c. obsolete : an ingenious literary device : conceit

Synonyms: see gift

II. noun

( -s )

Etymology: Middle English knak, of imitative origin like Middle High German knacken to make a cracking noise, Old English cnocian to knock — more at knock

: a sharp sound (as of the snapping of a finger)

III. verb

( -ed/-ing/-s )

transitive verb

dialect Britain : to strike together so as to make a sharp snapping noise

intransitive verb

now dialect : to make a sharp abrupt snapping noise : crack

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.