knuckle

[nuhk-uhl]

noun

1. a joint of a finger, especially one of the articulations of a metacarpal with a phalanx.

2. the rounded prominence of such a joint when the finger is bent.

3. a joint of meat, consisting of the parts about the carpal or tarsal joint of a quadruped.

4. an angle or protrusion at the intersection of two members or surfaces, as in the timbers of a ship or in a roof.

5. brass knuckles.

6. a cylindrical projecting part on a hinge, through which an axis or pin passes; the joint of a hinge.

7. (in a wire mesh) a bend in a wire crossing another wire.

8. (on a chair arm) one of the ridges left at the front end by longitudinal flutes carved to accommodate the fingers.

9. Nautical.,  a pronounced edge formed by a change in the form of the shell of a hull.

verb (used with object)

knuckled, knuckling 

1. to rub or press with the knuckles.

2. Marbles.,  to shoot (a marble) from the thumb and forefinger.

verb phrase

1. knuckle down

   1. to apply oneself vigorously and earnestly; become serious.

      Just knuckle down for an hour or so and finish the work.

   2. Also knuckle under. to submit; yield.

knuckle

/ ˈnʌkəl /

noun

1. a joint of a finger, esp that connecting a finger to the hand

2. a joint of veal, pork, etc, consisting of the part of the leg below the knee joint, often used in making stews or stock

3. the cylindrical portion of a hinge through which the pin passes

4. an angle joint between two members of a structure

5. informal,  approaching indecency

verb

1. (tr) to rub or press with the knuckles

2. (intr) to keep the knuckles on the ground while shooting a marble

Other Word Forms

• knuckly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of knuckle¹

1325–75; Middle English knokel (akin to Dutch kneukel, German Knöchel ), diminutive of a word represented by Dutch knok, German Knochen bone; -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of knuckle¹

C14: related to Middle High German knöchel, Middle Low German knoke bone, Dutch knok

Idioms and Phrases

• rap someone's knuckles

Example Sentences

On Wednesday, Joshua Michael Richardson, 38, was charged with felony criminal threats and possession of six high-capacity gun magazines, brass knuckles and a sword, according to the Orange County district attorney’s office.

From Los Angeles Times

Deputies arrested Richardson for criminal threats and found body armor, high-capacity magazines, brass knuckles and knives in his car, officials said.

From Los Angeles Times

"I was never fond of wearing gloves. I put my hands down and all my knuckles and everything were just torn off."

From BBC

The court's intervention highlighted the ECI's "procedural failures" and must be seen as a "rap on the knuckles", an editorial in the leading Hindu newspaper said.

From BBC

The department accused several Mission officers of stealing brass knuckles and other items from motorists in the San Fernando Valley, and attempting to hide their actions from their supervisors by switching off their body-worn cameras.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bow 
• break down 
• buckle 
• capitulate 
• cave in 
• cease 
• defer 
• give in 
• give way 
• go down 
• pass away 
• perish 
• quit 
• wilt 
• yield