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Definition of penknife - 3 dictionary results
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pen⋅knife

  [pen-nahyf]
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–noun, plural -knives.
a small pocketknife, formerly one used for making and sharpening quill pens.
Origin:
1400–50; late ME; see pen 1 , knife
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Swiss Army Knives
A Must-Have Tool, Indoors or Out! Full Selection & Lifetime Warranty.
www.swissarmy.com
Swiss Army Knife Sale
Free shipping. Engraving offered. 100's of models. Factory authorized
www.SwissKnivesExpress.com
pen·knife   (pěn'nīf')   
n.  A small pocketknife.

[So called because it was originally used for cutting quill pens.]
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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Word Origin & History

penknife 
early 15c., so called because such small knives were used to sharpen quills.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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