I. ˈnakə(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: knack (III) + -er
: something (as a castanet) used to make a sharp sound or noise ; especially : one of two pieces of bone or wood held loosely between the fingers and struck together by moving the hand — usually used in plural
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: probably from English dialect knacker, nacker harnessmaker, saddle maker, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Icelandic hnakkur saddle; akin to Old Norse hnakki, hnakkr back of the neck — more at neck
1. also knacker·man -mən Britain : one that buys worn-out domestic animals or their carcasses and disposes of the products for other purposes than use as human food (as for animal food or fertilizer)
Jones will sell you to the knacker , who will cut your throat and boil you down for the foxhounds — George Orwell
2. Britain : one that buys up old structures (as buildings or ships) for their constituent materials
3. dialect England : an old worn-out domestic animal (as a horse)