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View synonyms for

knuckle

[nuhk-uhl]

noun

  1. a joint of a finger, especially one of the articulations of a metacarpal with a phalanx.

  2. the rounded prominence of such a joint when the finger is bent.

  3. a joint of meat, consisting of the parts about the carpal or tarsal joint of a quadruped.

  4. an angle or protrusion at the intersection of two members or surfaces, as in the timbers of a ship or in a roof.

  5. brass knuckles.

  6. a cylindrical projecting part on a hinge, through which an axis or pin passes; the joint of a hinge.

  7. (in a wire mesh) a bend in a wire crossing another wire.

  8. (on a chair arm) one of the ridges left at the front end by longitudinal flutes carved to accommodate the fingers.

  9. Nautical.a pronounced edge formed by a change in the form of the shell of a hull.



verb (used with object)

knuckled, knuckling 
  1. to rub or press with the knuckles.

  2. Marbles.to shoot (a marble) from the thumb and forefinger.

verb phrase

    1. to apply oneself vigorously and earnestly; become serious.

      Just knuckle down for an hour or so and finish the work.

    2. Also knuckle under. to submit; yield.

knuckle

/ ˈʌə /

noun

  1. a joint of a finger, esp that connecting a finger to the hand

  2. a joint of veal, pork, etc, consisting of the part of the leg below the knee joint, often used in making stews or stock

  3. the cylindrical portion of a hinge through which the pin passes

  4. an angle joint between two members of a structure

  5. informalapproaching indecency

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (tr) to rub or press with the knuckles

  2. (intr) to keep the knuckles on the ground while shooting a marble

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • knuckly adjective
  • ˈԳܳ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of knuckle1

1325–75; Middle English knokel (akin to Dutch kneukel, German ö ), diminutive of a word represented by Dutch knok, German Knochen bone; -le
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Word History and Origins

Origin of knuckle1

C14: related to Middle High German ö, Middle Low German knoke bone, Dutch knok
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Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idioms beginning with knuckle, also see rap someone's knuckles.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

After the Christchurch tragedies, twin shootings that took 51 lives, she showed the most heartfelt empathy, then knuckled down and got assault weapons off the streets.

From

It’s impossible not to be won over by the way Pascal gives Lucy a tiny smile as he kisses her knuckles.

From

His blue patterned shirt creased around the knuckle of his thumb.

From

Bold works can hit with such a wallop that it takes a beat to gauge their lasting impact, to tell which set of brass knuckles left a mark: love or hate?

From

"I had a word with myself after the first set - I needed to really knuckle down and focus and I knew his level wasn't really going to drop," Draper added.

From

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