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Knifing - 2 dictionary results

knife

  [nahyf] noun, plural knives  [nahyvz] , verb, knifed, knif⋅ing.
Use Knifing in a Sentence
–noun
1. an instrument for cutting, consisting essentially of a thin, sharp-edged, metal blade fitted with a handle.
2. a knifelike weapon; dagger or short sword.
3. any blade for cutting, as in a tool or machine.
–verb (used with object)
4. to apply a knife to; cut, stab, etc., with a knife.
5. to attempt to defeat or undermine in a secret or underhanded way.
–verb (used without object)
6. to move or cleave through something with or as if with a knife: The ship knifed through the heavy seas.
—Idiom
7. under the knife, in surgery; undergoing a medical operation: The patient was under the knife for four hours.
Origin:
bef. 1100; ME knif, OE cnīf; c. D knijf, G Kneif, ON knīfr

Related forms:
knifelike, adjective
knifer, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Knifing
knife   (nīf)   
n.   pl. knives (nīvz)
  1. A cutting instrument consisting of a sharp blade attached to a handle.
  2. A cutting edge; a blade.
v.   knifed, knif·ing, knifes

v.   tr.
  1. To use a knife on, especially to stab; wound with a knife.
  2. Informal To betray or attempt to defeat by underhand means.
v.   intr.
To cut or slash a way through something with or as if with a knife: The boat knifed through the waves.

[Middle English knif, from Old English cnīf, from Old Norse knīfr.]
knif'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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