penknife
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English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Middle English penne knyfe; equivalent to pen + knife.
Noun[edit]
penknife (plural penknives)
- (archaic) A small utility knife for cutting the points of quill feathers or reeds into nibs to provide or repair writing implements, early versions were commonly small sheath knives.
- (dated) A small knife designed for safe and convenient storage, typically in the form of a miniature clasp-knife, or with blade retractable into the handle.
- 1906, Rudyard Kipling, Puck of Pook's Hill:
- Presently the man took a reed pen from his satchel, and trimmed it with a little ivory knife, carved in the semblance of a fish.
"Oh, what a beauty!" cried Dan.
"’Ware fingers! That blade is perilous sharp. I made it myself of the best Low Country crossbow steel. And so, too, this fish. When his back-fin travels to his tail — so — he swallows up the blade, even as the whale swallowed Gaffer Jonah."
- A pocket-knife, especially a small one.
- 1948, G. Rabel, Discovery[2]:
- The logical distinction between genus and species can, of course, apply to any objects whatsoever. Thus, for example, the genus knife may be divided into several species, such as penknife, table knife, bread knife, razor, etc. We might define the penknife as a knife small enough to be carried in the pocket, with foldable, sheathable elements, characterized by the feature that one blade at least is always suitable for sharpening pencils and erasing ink spots. We are quite sure in which features all the members of a certain species agree, notwithstanding possible individual characteristics, say a monogram on one penknife, or a corkscrew in another.
Coordinate terms[edit]
Derived terms[edit]
Translations[edit]
knife for cutting the points of quill feathers or reeds
small pocketknife — see also pocketknife
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Middle English[edit]
Noun[edit]
penknife
- Alternative form of penne knyfe
Categories:
- English terms inherited from Middle English
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- English compound terms
- English lemmas
- English nouns
- English countable nouns
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- English terms with quotations
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- en:Tools
- Middle English lemmas
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