naɪf n. & v. --n. (pl. knives) 1 a a
metal blade used as a
cutting tool with usu.
one long
sharp edge fixed rigidly in a
handle or hinged (cf. PENKNIFE). b a
similar tool used as a
weapon. 2 a cutting-blade forming
part of a
machine. 3 (as
the knife) a
surgical operation or operations. --v.tr. 1
cut or
stab with a knife. 2 sl.
bring about the
defeat of (a person) by
underhand means. øat knife-point threatened with a knife or an
ultimatum etc.
before you can
say knife colloq.
very quickly or suddenly.
get one's knife
into treat maliciously or vindictively,
persecute. knife-board a
board on
which knives are cleaned. knife-edge 1 the edge of a knife. 2 a
position of
extreme danger or
uncertainty. 3 a
steel wedge on which a
pendulum etc. oscillates. 4 = AR°TE. knife-grinder 1 a travelling sharpener of knives etc. 2 a
person who grinds knives etc.
during their manufacture. knife-machine a machine
for cleaning knives. knife-pleat a
narrow flat
pleat on a
skirt etc., usu. overlapping
another. knife-rest a metal or
glass support for a carving-knife or -fork at
table. knife-throwing a
circus etc.
act in which knives are thrown at targets.
that one
could cut with a knife colloq. (of an
accent,
atmosphere, etc.) very
obvious,
oppressive, etc. øøknifelike adj. knifer n. [OE cnif f. ON knÂfr f. Gmc]
