Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Nearby Words
Definition of penknives - 3 dictionary results
Penknives
Penknives Qualified orders over $25 ship free
Amazon.com
Swiss Army Knives
A Must-Have Tool, Indoors or Out! Full Selection & Lifetime Warranty.
www.swissarmy.com
Swiss Army Knives
Victorinox, the Original Swiss Army from only $10.95. Free shipping.
www.SwissKnifeShop.com

pen⋅knife

  [pen-nahyf]
Use penknives in a Sentence
–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.
Cite This Source Link To penknives
Penknives
Penknives Qualified orders over $25 ship free
Amazon.com
Swiss Army Knives
A Must-Have Tool, Indoors or Out! Full Selection & Lifetime Warranty.
www.swissarmy.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.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

penknife 
early 15c., so called because such small knives were used to sharpen quills.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see penknives on Thesaurus | Reference
Swiss Army Knives
Victorinox, the Original Swiss Army from only $10.95. Free shipping.
www.SwissKnifeShop.com
Swiss Army Knives
Factory Authorized 20-50% Discount No tax or shipping on most orders.
www.SwissKnifeWarehouse.com
Swiss Army Knife Sale
Free shipping. Engraving offered. 100's of models. Factory authorized
www.SwissKnivesExpress.com
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way