Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Knife-edge
Knife′-edgeˊ
,Noun.
(Mech.)
A piece of steel sharpened to an acute edge or angle, and resting on a smooth surface, serving as the axis of motion of a pendulum, scale beam, or other piece required to oscillate with the least possible friction.
Knife-edge file
. See Illust. of
File
.Definition 2024
knife-edge
knife-edge
English
Alternative forms
knife edge, knife's edge, knife's-edge
Noun
knife-edge (plural knife-edges)
- A piece of steel sharpened to an acute edge or angle, and resting on a smooth surface, serving as the axis of motion of a pendulum, scale beam, or other piece required to oscillate with the least possible friction.
- (figuratively) A precarious balance that could be upset by a very small force in either direction.
- Used other than as an idiom: the edge of a knife.
Derived terms
- knife-edge file