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jack-knife

jack-knife
J j

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [jak nahyf]
    • /dʒæk naɪf/
    • /dʒæk naɪf/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [jak nahyf]
    • /dʒæk naɪf/

Definitions of jack-knife word

  • noun plural jack-knife a large pocketknife. 1
  • noun plural jack-knife Fancy Diving. a dive in which the diver bends in midair to touch the toes, keeping the legs straight, and then straightens out. 1
  • verb without object jack-knife to bend or double over like a jackknife: The prizefighter jackknifed and fell when he was hit in the stomach. 1
  • verb without object jack-knife (of a trailer truck) to have the cab and trailer swivel at the linkage until they form a V shape, as the result of an abrupt stop or accident. 1
  • verb without object jack-knife (in diving) to perform a jackknife. 1
  • verb without object jack-knife to move rapidly at an abrupt angle. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of jack-knife

First appearance:

before 1705
One of the 50% oldest English words
1705-15, Americanism; jack1 (cf. jockteleg) + knife

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Jack-knife

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

jack-knife popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 70% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
According to our data most of word are more popular. This word is almost not used. It has a much more popular synonym.

See also

Matching words

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