Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Knuckle
Knuc′kle
,Noun.
[OE.
knokel
, knokil
, AS. cuncel
; akin to D. knokkel
, OFries. knokele
, knokle
, G. knöchel
, Sw. knoge
, Dan. knokkel
, G. knochen
bone, and perh. to E. knock
.] 1.
The joint of a finger, particularly when made prominent by the closing of the fingers.
Davenant.
2.
The kneejoint, or middle joint, of either leg of a quadruped, especially of a calf; – formerly used of the kneejoint of a human being.
With weary
knuckles
on thy brim she kneeled sadly down. Golding.
3.
The joint of a plant.
[Obs.]
Bacon.
4.
(Mech.)
The joining parts of a hinge through which the pin or rivet passes; a knuckle joint.
5.
(Shipbuilding)
A convex portion of a vessel’s figure where a sudden change of shape occurs, as in a canal boat, where a nearly vertical side joins a nearly flat bottom.
6.
A contrivance, usually of brass or iron, and furnished with points, worn to protect the hand, to add force to a blow, and to disfigure the person struck; – called also
knuckle duster
, knuckles
or brass knuckles
. [Slang.]
Knuckle joint
(Mach.)
, a hinge joint, in which a projection with an eye, on one piece, enters a jaw between two corresponding projections with eyes, on another piece, and is retained by a pin which passes through the eyes and forms the pivot.
– Knuckle of veal
(Cookery)
, the lower part of a leg of veal, from the line of the body to the knuckle.
Knuc′kle
,Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Knuckled
;; p. pr. & vb. n.
Knuckling
.] To yield; to submit; – used with
down
, to
, or under
. To knuckle to
. (a)
To submit to in a contest; to yield to.
[Colloq.]
(b)
To apply one's self vigorously or earnestly to;
as,
to knuckle to
work. [Colloq.]
Knuc′kle
,Verb.
T.
To beat with the knuckles; to pummel.
[R.]
Horace Smith.
Webster 1828 Edition
Knuckle
KNUCK'LE
,Noun.
1.
The joint of a finger, particularly when protuberant by the closing of the fingers.2.
The knee join of a calf; as a knuckle of veal.3.
The joint of a plant. [Not used.]KNUCK'LE
,Verb.
I.