KNUCKLE • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Knuckle

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/nˈəkəl/ Listen

noun

Knuckle n.

1.

The joint of a finger, particularly when made prominent by the closing of the fingers.

2.

The kneejoint, or middle joint, of either leg of a quadruped, especially of a calf; formerly used of the kneejoint of a human being. "With weary knuckles on thy brim she kneeled sadly down."

3.

The joint of a plant. (Obs.)

4.

(Mech.) The joining parts of a hinge through which the pin or rivet passes; a knuckle joint.

5.

(Shipbuilding) A convex portion of a vessel's figure where a sudden change of shape occurs, as in a canal boat, where a nearly vertical side joins a nearly flat bottom.

6.

A contrivance, usually of brass or iron, and furnished with points, worn to protect the hand, to add force to a blow, and to disfigure the person struck; called also knuckle duster, knuckles or brass knuckles. (Slang.)

Knuckle joint (Mach.), a hinge joint, in which a projection with an eye, on one piece, enters a jaw between two corresponding projections with eyes, on another piece, and is retained by a pin which passes through the eyes and forms the pivot.

Knuckle of veal (Cookery), the lower part of a leg of veal, from the line of the body to the knuckle.

verb

Knuckle v. t. To beat with the knuckles; to pummel. (R.)

Knuckle v. i. (past & past part. knuckled; pres. part. knuckling) To yield; to submit; used with down, to, or under.

To knuckle to.

(a)

To submit to in a contest; to yield to. (Colloq.) See To knock under, under Knock, v. i.

(b)

To apply one's self vigorously or earnestly to; as, to knuckle to work. (Colloq.)

See images of 'Knuckle'

Etymology of 'Knuckle'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Knuckle" Quotes from Famous Books

... rise a pointed iron rod, insulated by being fixed in a cake of resin. Electrified clouds passing over this would, he conceived, impart to it a portion of their electricity which would be rendered evident to the senses by sparks being emitted when a key, the knuckle, or other conductor, was presented to it. Philadelphia at this time afforded no opportunity of trying an experiment of this kind. While Franklin was waiting for the erection of a spire, it occurred to him that he might have more ready access to the region of clouds by means ...

— Little Masterpieces of Science: - Invention and Discovery • Various

... I gripped him from behind. My hand on his mouth stifled his outcry. His black knife blade waved blindly. Then my clenched knuckle caught his temple, and dug with the twisting Santus blow. I was expert at it, and I found the ...

— Astounding Stories of Super-Science, November, 1930 • Various

... far to-day, anyhow," remarked Garretson, tapping the back of his chair with his knuckle, as a token of respect for that evil spirit who seems to ...

— The Treasure-Train • Arthur B. Reeve

... especially as we were afraid you might be with our troops. We asked Nombe if you were present at the battle. She answered that she would inquire of her Spirit and went through some very strange performances with ashes and knuckle bones, after which she announced that you had been in the battle but were alive and coming this way with a dog that had silver on it. We laughed at her, saying that she could not possibly know anything of the sort, ...

— Finished • H. Rider Haggard

... we sat while deep employed, Tho' mangled, hacked, and hewed, not yet destroyed; The little ones, unbuttoned, glowing hot, Playing our games, and on the very spot, As happy as we once, to kneel and draw The chalky ring and knuckle down at taw, To pitch the ball into the grounded hat, Or drive it devious with a dexterous pat;— The pleasing spectacle at once excites Such recollection of our own delights That, viewing it, we seem almost t' obtain Our innocent, ...

— Higher Lessons in English • Alonzo Reed and Brainerd Kellogg

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