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Webster 1913 Edition

Penknife

Pen′knifeˊ

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Penknives
(#)
.
[
Pen
+
knife
.]
A small pocketknife; formerly, a knife used for making and mending quill pens.

Webster 1828 Edition

Penknife

PEN'KNIFE

,
Noun.
[See Pen and Knife.] A small knife used for making and mending pens.

Definition 2024

penknife

penknife

English

a penknife

Noun

penknife ‎(plural penknives)

  1. A small pocketknife; a small knife with a blade which folds into the hand. Penknives often incorporate other tools such as corkscrews, and are generally smaller than pocketknives as a group.

Derived terms

Translations

Etymology

originally a small knife used for cutting the nib of a quill pen

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