I. ˈnīf noun
( plural knives -īvz)
Etymology: Middle English knif, from Old English cnīf, probably from Old Norse knīfr; akin to Middle Low German knīf knife, Middle Dutch cnijf, Old English cnotta knot — more at knot
1.
a. : a simple instrument used for cutting consisting of a sharp-edged usually steel blade provided with a handle
b. : a weapon consisting of or resembling a knife
c. : a culinary utensil consisting of a knife usually with blade of silver or steel and a handle of metal, ceramic, bone, or pearl
dinner knives
dainty fruit knives
d. : a sharp cutting blade or tool in a machine (as a band saw, a wood-planing machine, or a mowing machine)
e. : any of various instruments used in surgery primarily to sever tissues whether having the form of a conventional knife or scalpel or cutting by other means (as electric or radio-frequency currents) ; also : surgery — used with the
finally decided to submit to the knife
was under the knife for several hours
2. : mumblety-peg
3. : the shape of an envelope flap as produced by the knife on the cutting machine
the size, knife , and watermark of a stamped envelope
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
1. : to use a knife on: as
a. : to stab, slash, or wound with a knife
b. : to prune with a knife
2.
a. : to cut or mark with a knife: as
(1) : to shape or cut out (as shoe uppers) with a knife
(2) : to trim (as shoe soles) with a knife
b. : to spread (as paint) with a knife
3. : to try to defeat by underhand means (as a political candidate of one's own party) : to work secretly against (one justified in expecting support) : undermine
aiding today those he knows will knife him tomorrow
4.
a. : to move like a knife in
birds knifing the autumn sky
b. : to impart an action like that of a knife to
knifed his hand against his opponent's neck
intransitive verb
: to progress or cut a way with or as if with the blade of a knife
the cruiser knifed through heavy seas
a hot sun knifing down through the haze
knifed rapidly along the bone