under the knife

un·der the knife

U u

Definitions of under the knife words

noun plural under the knife an instrument for cutting, consisting essentially of a thin, sharp-edged, metal blade fitted with a handle. 1
noun plural under the knife a knifelike weapon; dagger or short sword. 1
noun plural under the knife any blade for cutting, as in a tool or machine. 1
verb with object under the knife to apply a knife to; cut, stab, etc., with a knife. 1
verb with object under the knife to attempt to defeat or undermine in a secret or underhanded way. 1
verb without object under the knife to move or cleave through something with or as if with a knife: The ship knifed through the heavy seas. 1

before 1100

One of the 6% oldest English words

before 1100; Middle English knif, Old English cnīf; cognate with Dutch knijf, German Kneif, Old Norse knīfr

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 99% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

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