Knife (?), n.; pl. Knives (#). [OE. knif, AS. cnIf; akin to D. knijf, Icel. knIfr, Sw. knif, Dan. kniv.]

1.

An instrument consisting of a thin blade, usually of steel and having a sharp edge for cutting, fastened to a handle, but of many different forms and names for different uses; as, table knife, drawing knife, putty knife, pallet knife, pocketknife, penknife, chopping knife, etc..

2.

A sword or dagger.

The coward conquest of a wretch's knife.
Shak.

Knife grass (Bot.) a tropical American sedge (Scleria latifolia), having leaves with a very sharp and hard edge, like a knife. --
War to the knife, mortal combat; a conflict carried to the last extremity.

 

© Webster 1913


Knife, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Knifed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Knifing (?).]

1. (Hort.)

To prune with the knife.

2.

To cut or stab with a knife. [Low]

 

© Webster 1913


Knife, v. t.

Fig.: To stab in the back; to try to defeat by underhand means, esp. in politics; to vote or work secretly against (a candidate of one's own party). [Slang, U. S.]

 

© Webster 1913