jackknives definition | Dictionary.com

jack⋅knife

[jak-nahyf]

noun, plural -knives, verb, -knifed, -knif⋅ing, adjective

–noun

1.	a large pocketknife.

2.	Fancy Diving. a dive in which the diver bends in midair to touch the toes, keeping the legs straight, and then straightens out.

–verb (used without object)

3.	to bend or double over like a jackknife: The prizefighter jackknifed and fell when he was hit in the stomach.

4.	(of a trailer truck) to have the cab and trailer swivel at the linkage until they form a V shape, as the result of an abrupt stop or accident.

5.	(in diving) to perform a jackknife.

6.	to move rapidly at an abrupt angle.

–verb (used with object)

7.	to cause to jackknife: The blow jackknifed the prizefighter.

8.	to cut with a jackknife.

–adjective

9.	resembling a jackknife, as in its shape, function, or manner of opening and folding.

Origin:
1705–15, Americanism; jack ¹ (cf. jockteleg ) + knife

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To jackknives

jack·knife (jāk'nīf')

A large clasp knife.
Sports A dive in the pike position, in which the diver straightens out to enter the water hands first.

v. jack·knifed, jack·knif·ing, jack·knifes

v. tr.

v. intr.

To bend or fold up like a jackknife: A truck that had jackknifed was blocking the road.
To form a 90° angle.

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