knife definition

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. /as>.

2. A sword or dagger. "The coward conquest of a wretch's knife.

Origin: OE. Knif, AS. Cnif; akin to D. Knijf, Icel. Knifr, Sw. Knif, Dan. Kniv.

<botany>" (Shak) Knife grass 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.

1. <botany> To prune with the knife.

2. To cut or stab with a knife.

Origin: Knifed; Knifing.