knuckle

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: knuckle jointmetacarpophalangeal joint

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. a joint of a finger when the fist is closedSynonyms: knuckle jointmetacarpophalangeal joint

Verb (2)

  1. press or rub with the knuckles
  2. shoot a marble while keeping one's knuckles on the ground
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Knuckle \Knuc"kle\, n. [OE. knokel, knokil, AS. cuncel; akin to D. knokkel, OFries. knokele, knokle, G. kn["o]chel, 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. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

With weary knuckles on thy brim she kneeled sadly down.— Golding.[1913 Webster]

3.The joint of a plant. [Obs.] --Bacon. [1913 Webster]

4.(Mech.) The joining parts of a hinge through which the pin or rivet passes; a knuckle joint. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

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.] [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

Knuckle \Knuc"kle\, v. t. To beat with the knuckles; to pummel. [R.] --Horace Smith. [1913 Webster]
Knuckle \Knuc"kle\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Knuckled;; p. pr. & vb. n. Knuckling.] To yield; to submit; -- used with down, to, or under. [1913 Webster]

To knuckle to. (a) To submit to in a contest; to yield to. [Colloq.] See To knock under, under Knock, v. i. (b) To apply one's self vigorously or earnestly to; as, to knuckle to work. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]

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