English

Alternative forms

• clasp knife

Noun

clasp-knife ‎(plural clasp-knives)

1. a knife with a folding blade or blades.
   • “Well, this knife is called a clasp-knife, because it shuts and opens, as you see, and it has three blades — a big one for cuttin’ up your victuals with, as you see me doin’; and two little ones for parin’ your nails and pickin’ your teeth, an’ mendin’ pens an’ pencils — though of course you don’t know what that means.” — R.M. Ballantyne, “Red Rooney”, 1886

Synonyms

• pocket knife