knucklen.
/ˈnʌkl/, U.S. /ˈnək(ə)l/ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > structural parts > bone or bones > parts of bones > [noun] > rounded end
knucklec1375
whirl-bone1398
head?a1425
roundel?1541
condyle1634
capitulum1661
c1375 in T. Wright & J. O. Halliwell Reliquiæ Antiquæ (1845) I. 190 Bynethe the knokelys of the fete Wyth two weynis thow myȝt mete.
c1425 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 636/10 Hic nodus, knokylle.
1565 A. Golding tr. Ovid Fyrst Fower Bks. Metamorphosis i. f. 11v Wyth weary knockles on thy brym shee kneled sadly downe.
1594 T. Bowes tr. P. de la Primaudaye French Acad. II. 42 The backebone..consisteth of manie bones,..which are called the knuckles or turning ioyntes of the backebone.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 460 His [sc. a lion's] Necke very stiffe because it consisteth but of one bone without ioynts... Ther are no knucles or turning ioyntes in it called Spondyli, and therefore he cannot looke backward.
1658 W. Johnson tr. F. Würtz Surgeons Guid ii. xxv. 152 Sometimes the Elbows-Knockle is broken.
2. † c. = pickpocket n. i. Cf. knuck n. 1. Obsolete.
a. spec. The bone at a finger-joint, which forms a rounded protuberance when the hand is shut; esp. applied to those at the roots of the fingers. (Sometimes in singular for collective plural.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > structural parts > bone or bones > bones of hand or foot > bones of hand > [noun] > bone at finger-joint
knucklec1440
knuckle-bone1577
knubble1671
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 280/1 Knokyl of an honde.., condilus.
1519 W. Horman Vulgaria iii. f. 25v In euery fynger be .iij. ioyntes, and as many knokulles: saue in the thome, that hath but .ii.
1580 C. Hollyband Treasurie French Tong Condyle, the roundenesse or knots in the knee, anckle, elbow, and knuckles.
1658 W. Johnson tr. F. Würtz Surgeons Guid ii. xxv. 153 A Fracture near the Knockles is worse than that in the middle.
1753 W. Hogarth Anal. Beauty x. 65 The dimples of the nuckles.
1792 W. Cowper Let. 11 June (1984) IV. 112 Adieu—my knuckles ache with letter writing.
1867 A. Dawson Rambling Recoll. (1868) 4 He switched their shoulders and knuckles with his cane.
1884 D. Pae Eustace 96 The leader and spokesman of the party gave a low but distinct tap with his hard knuckle.
b. Hence several colloquial phrases. near the knuckle: near the permitted limit (esp. in regard to decency); to go the knuckle (Australian slang), to punch, to fight.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > moral or spiritual impurity > indecency > indecent [phrase]
to the boneOE
near the knuckle1895
society > society and the community > dissent > fighting > fight [verb (intransitive)] > fight with fists
fist?a1300
cuff?1611
fistify1860
to go the knuckle1944
1579 J. Stubbs Discouerie Gaping Gulf sig. C3v Assuring our selues, that if they went vp to the knocles in french blood, they wyll vp to the elboes in English blood.
1759 W. H. Dilworth Life of Pope 78 Some who did not absolutely deserve that appellation, he has rapped over the knuckles.
1790 J. Wolcot Advice to Future Laureat i. 79 He sighs—upon his knuckles he is down.
1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas II. v. ii. 409 The boiling courage of knighthood, pledged up to the knuckles or the chin on the behalf of female innocence.
1812 Sporting Mag. 40 161 The father-in-law had everything arranged to his own knuckle.
1866 ‘G. Eliot’ Felix Holt I. ii. 77 When he's had plenty of English exercise, and brought out his knuckle a bit, he'll be a Lingon again as he used to be.
1895 W. P. Ridge Minor Dialogues vii. 72 I can stand a joke as well as anyone, but whispering's a bit too near the knuckle. If you've got anything to say, say it.
1897 M. Kingsley Trav. W. Afr. 390 A severe rap on my moral knuckles from my conscience.
1909 Westm. Gaz. 4 May 2/2 A series of articles entitled ‘Crimes of Passion’, full of abominable details ‘as near the knuckle’ as the police would allow.
1909 Westm. Gaz. 6 Sept. 1/3 If a play shows that its author has..a sincere respect for his art, it must be stopped if it goes at all ‘near the knuckle’.
1930 W. S. Maugham Cakes & Ale 147 What I like about 'er is that she gives you a good laugh. She goes pretty near the knuckle sometimes, but she never jumps over the fence.
1944 J. Devanny By Tropic Sea & Jungle xviii. 160 I always got on well with the blacks, because I never went the knuckle on them, and never interfered with their women.
1945 L. A. G. Strong Othello's Occupation iv. 89 Did you notice how she stiffened, when I slipped in that bit about remembering what she was looking at—what was on the table? I got a bit near the knuckle there.
1962 S. Gore Down Golden Mile i. 26 Then he said: ‘Want to watch out for them quiet snoozers. Sometimes they can go the knuckle a bit themselves!’
1973 ‘D. Jordan’ Nile Green xiii. 58 He ho-ho'd jovially to show he was joking. It was a little close to the knuckle for my taste.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > thief > pickpocket or cutpurse > [noun] > pickpocket
fig-boyc1555
foister1585
foist1591
pickpocket1591
bung1600
diver1608
pocket-picker1622
pocketeerc1626
bung-nipper1659
file1673
filer1674
shark1707
hoister1708
knuckle1781
knuckler1801
buzzgloak1819
cly-faker1819
fingersmith1819
knuck1819
fogle hunter1821
buzzman1832
nobbler1839
wire1851
gonoph1853
wirer1857
dip1859
moll-tooler1859
buzzer1862
hook1863
snotter1864
tool1865
pocket-cutter1885
dipper1889
pogue-hunter1896
pick1902
finger1925
whizz1925
whizzer1925
prat diggera1931
whizz-boy1931
whizz-man1932
reefer1935
1781 G. Parker View Society & Manners II. i. 73 Knuckle, in the flash language, signifies those who hang about the Lobbies of both Houses of Parliament, the Opera-House and both Play-Houses, and in general wherever a great crowd assemble. They steal watches, snuff-boxes, &c.
1785 F. Grose Classical Dict. Vulgar Tongue Knuckles, pickpockets who attend the avenues to public places, to steal pocket books, watches, &c., a superior kind of pickpockets.
1846 ‘Lord Chief Baron’ Swell's Night Guide (new ed.) 124/1 Knuckles, pickpockets.
3. The projection of the carpal or tarsal joint of a quadruped; hence, a ‘joint’ of meat, esp. veal or ham, consisting of the knuckle joint with the parts immediately above and below it. In a leg of mutton, the rounded muscular part adjacent to the knuckle joint of the animal.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > animals for food > part or joint of animal > [noun] > leg or thigh > lower part of leg
houghc1430
knuckle-bonec1440
knuckle1626
shin1736
shank1804
knuckle-enda1845
1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §45 Jelly..which they use for a restorative, is chiefly made of knuckles of veal.
1633 P. Massinger New Way to pay Old Debts ii. ii. sig. D4v 'Tis the Quintessence Of fiue Cockes of the game,..Knuckells of Veale, Potato rootes, and Marrow.
1726 J. Gay in Swift's Lett. (1766) II. 65 Take a knuckle of veal..In a few pieces cut it: In a stewing-pan put it.
1771 T. Smollett Humphry Clinker I. 249 One wit, like a knuckle of ham in soup, gives a zest and flavour to the dish.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. xxvi. 236 The tea-things, including..a cold knuckle of ham.
4. Something shaped or protruding like a knuckle of a bone. spec.† a. A thickened joint of a plant, a node.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > part of plant > stem or stalk > [noun] > joint or node
joint?1523
knuckle1626
internodium1653
genicle1657
articulation1658
geniculationa1776
nodus1832
node1835
1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §589 Divers Herbs..have Joynts or Knuckles..As have..Pinks,..Corn,..and Canes.
b. Anatomy. A projecting bend of the intestine.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > digestive or excretive organs > digestive organs > intestines > [noun] > portion of
gut1398
gut1398
knuckle1601
intestine1651
buttress1828
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. 255 The swellings or blind piles appearing like bigs or knuckles within the fundement, are cured with five-leafe grasse.
1835–6 Todd's Cycl. Anat. & Physiol. I. 503 (note) A knuckle of the intestine.
1897 Clin. Soc. Trans. 9 108 A knuckle of bowel having been exposed by incision.
c. Mechanics. The projecting tubular part of a hinge through which the pintle runs.
ΚΠ
1825 ‘J. Nicholson’ Operative Mechanic 591 The knuckle of the hinge is a portion contained under a cylindrical surface, and is common both to the moving part and the part which is at rest.
d. Shipbuilding. An acute angle in certain timbers.
ΚΠ
1850 J. Greenwood Sailor's Sea-bk. 128 Knuckle, a sudden angle made on some timbers by a quick reverse of shape, such as the knuckle of the counter timbers, &c.
e. Other uses.
ΚΠ
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Les nerfs, the knuckles that sticke out on the backe of a booke.
1894 S. R. Crockett Raiders 230 I..sat on a solid knuckle of rock that shot up from the ribs of the mountain.
Thesaurus »
Categories »
5. = knuckle-duster n. (see quot. 1861 s.v.).
Compounds
C1. General attributive.
a.
knuckle-hinge n.
knuckle-length n.
ΚΠ
1906 Daily Chron. 29 Mar. 6/4 A man..proceeded to measure it with the knuckle-length of his closed fist.
1938 Times 9 Mar. 19/4 The knuckle-length coat is in stripes of various sizes.
knuckle-rap n.
ΚΠ
1837 C. A. Wheelwright tr. Aristophanes Comedies II. 176 With knuckle-raps, we will put out the lamps.
knuckle-summons n.
ΚΠ
1864 R. Browning Mr. Sludge 720 Suppose I blunder in my guess at the true sense O' the knuckle-summons, nine times out of ten.
knuckle-work n.
ΚΠ
1885 T. Mozley Reminisc. Towns (ed. 2) I. 298 All the communications between the postal officials and the public were done through an aperture fifteen inches by twelve,..to be opened after some knuckle-work.
b.
knuckle-rapper n.
ΚΠ
1910 H. G. Wells Hist. Mr. Polly iv. 56 The aunt..was..a knuckle-rapper and sharp silencer: no friend for a slovenly little boy.
knuckle-rapping adj.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > [noun]
justice?a1160
penancec1300
defensiona1382
forfeiture1390
punishment1402
revengementa1513
penition1547
revenge1561
infliction1590
supplice1646
vindictive1726
auto-da-fé1767
woodshedding1940
knuckle-rapping1944
1944 R. Lehmann Ballad & Source 243 ‘No,’ he said shortly, but not in the knuckle-rapping way I had half feared.
1968 Globe & Mail Mag. (Toronto) 13 Jan. 3/1 Anti-Dow demonstrations at U of T drew just polite knuckle-rapping.
1968 Listener 18 July 75/1 Did you ever suggest to him..how a field commander might feel when he got one of these knuckle-rappings?
1974 Farm & Country 26 Mar. 4/2 Your knuckle-rapping will teach him to think before he is carried away on a flow of words.
C2.
knuckle ball n. (also knuckleball) Baseball (see quots.).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > baseball > [noun] > pitching > types of pitch
change of pace1650
slow ball1838
passed ball1860
ball1863
rib roaster1864
called ball1865
low ball1866
wild pitch1867
curveball1875
short pitch1877
grass cutter1879
fastball1883
downshoot1886
lob ball1888
pitchout1903
bean ballc1905
spitball1905
screwball1908
spitter1908
sinker ball1910
fallaway1912
meatball1912
fireball1913
roundhouse1913
forkball1923
sinker1926
knuckle ball1927
knuckler1928
gofer1932
slider1936
sailer1937
junk1941
change up1942
eephus1943
junkball1944
split-finger(ed) fastball1980
change1982
1927 Secrets of Baseball iii. 37 If you're worrying about when to use a ‘knuckle ball’.
1928 G. H. Ruth Babe Ruth's Own Bk. Baseball vi. 79 The knuckle ball is a slow ball, that comes floating up to the plate without rotating. And lacking that rotation to keep it on a line, it wobbles from side to side.
1929 Encycl. Brit. III. 163/1 There is what is known as the knuckle ball, in which the knuckles of the pitcher's hand play a prominent part in giving the ball erratic motion.
1970 New Yorker 24 Oct. 39/2 The knuckleball is thrown not with the knuckles but with the fingertips.
1972 N.Y. Times 4 June v. 2/5 Phil Niekro baffled the Mets with his celebrated knuckleball, allowing them only three hits.
1975 Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio) 6 Apr. 13–C/3 Oakland, aiming for a fourth straight world championship, opens at home with Vida Blue pitching against Chicago's veteran knuckleball specialist, Wilbur Wood.
knuckle-bow n.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > sharp weapon > side arms > sword > [noun] > guard
cross1470
guard1596
ward1634
shell1685
bow1701
basket1833
cross-guard1869
cross-piece1869
hilt-guard1869
second guard1869
tsuba1889
knuckle-bow1895
1895 Proc. Soc. Antiq. 7 Feb. 297 There is a knucklebow with an extra guard attached by a ring.
knuckle-end n. the lower or small end of a leg of mutton or pork.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > animals for food > part or joint of animal > [noun] > leg or thigh > lower part of leg
houghc1430
knuckle-bonec1440
knuckle1626
shin1736
shank1804
knuckle-enda1845
a1845 Syd. Smith in Mem. Scotland, that garret of the earth—that knuckle~end of England.
1883 A. Thomas Mod. Housewife 48 A good leg of Welsh mutton..its knuckle-end makes a pretty little extra dish braised and stewed brown with celery and haricot beans.
knuckle-guard n. a guard on a sword-hilt to cover the knuckles.
knuckle-head n. a slow-witted or stupid person.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > stupid, foolish, or inadequate person > stupid person, dolt, blockhead > [noun]
asseOE
sotc1000
beastc1225
long-ear?a1300
stock1303
buzzard1377
mis-feelinga1382
dasarta1400
stonea1400
dasiberd14..
dottlec1400
doddypoll1401
dastardc1440
dotterel1440
dullardc1440
wantwit1449
jobardc1475
nollc1475
assheada1500
mulea1500
dull-pate15..
peak1509
dulbert?a1513
doddy-patec1525
noddypolla1529
hammer-head1532
dull-head?1534
capon1542
dolt1543
blockhead1549
cod's head1549
mome1550
grout-head1551
gander1553
skit-brains?1553
blocka1556
calfa1556
tomfool1565
dunce1567
druggard1569
cobble1570
dummel1570
Essex calf1573
jolthead1573
hardhead1576
beetle-head1577
dor-head1577
groutnoll1578
grosshead1580
thickskin1582
noddyship?1589
jobbernowl1592
beetle-brain1593
Dorbel1593
oatmeal-groat1594
loggerhead1595
block-pate1598
cittern-head1598
noddypoop1598
dorbellist1599
numps1599
dor1601
stump1602
ram-head1605
look-like-a-goose1606
ruff1606
clod1607
turf1607
asinego1609
clot-poll1609
doddiea1611
druggle1611
duncecomb1612
ox-head1613
clod-polla1616
dulman1615
jolterhead1620
bullhead1624
dunderwhelpa1625
dunderhead1630
macaroona1631
clod-patea1635
clota1637
dildo1638
clot-pate1640
stupid1640
clod-head1644
stub1644
simpletonian1652
bottle-head1654
Bœotiana1657
vappe1657
lackwit1668
cudden1673
plant-animal1673
dolt-head1679
cabbage head1682
put1688
a piece of wood1691
ouphe1694
dunderpate1697
numbskull1697
leather-head1699
nocky1699
Tom Cony1699
mopus1700
bluff-head1703
clod skull1707
dunny1709
dowf1722
stupe1722
gamphrel1729
gobbin?1746
duncehead1749
half-wit1755
thick-skull1755
jackass1756
woollen-head1756
numbhead1757
beef-head1775
granny1776
stupid-head1792
stunpolla1794
timber-head1794
wether heada1796
dummy1796
noghead1800
staumrel1802
muttonhead1803
num1807
dummkopf1809
tumphya1813
cod's head and shoulders1820
stoopid1823
thick-head1824
gype1825
stob1825
stookiea1828
woodenhead1831
ning-nong1832
log-head1834
fat-head1835
dunderheadism1836
turnip1837
mudhead1838
donkey1840
stupex1843
cabbage1844
morepork1845
lubber-head1847
slowpoke1847
stupiditarian1850
pudding-head1851
cod's head and shoulders1852
putty head1853
moke1855
mullet-head1855
pothead1855
mug1857
thick1857
boodle1862
meathead1863
missing link1863
half-baked1866
lunk1867
turnip-head1869
rummy1872
pumpkin-head1876
tattie1879
chump1883
dully1883
cretin1884
lunkhead1884
mopstick1886
dumbhead1887
peanut head1891
pie-face1891
doughbakea1895
butt-head1896
pinhead1896
cheesehead1900
nyamps1900
box head1902
bonehead1903
chickenhead1903
thickwit1904
cluck1906
boob1907
John1908
mooch1910
nitwit1910
dikkop1913
goop1914
goofus1916
rumdum1916
bone dome1917
moron1917
oik1917
jabroni1919
dumb-bell1920
knob1920
goon1921
dimwit1922
ivory dome1923
stone jug1923
dingleberry1924
gimp1924
bird brain1926
jughead1926
cloth-head1927
dumb1928
gazook1928
mouldwarp1928
ding-dong1929
stupido1929
mook1930
sparrow-brain1930
knobhead1931
dip1932
drip1932
epsilon1932
bohunkus1933
Nimrod1933
dumbass1934
zombie1936
pea-brain1938
knot-head1940
schlump1941
jarhead1942
Joe Soap1943
knuckle-head1944
nong1944
lame-brain1945
gobshite1946
rock-head1947
potato head1948
jerko1949
turkey1951
momo1953
poop-head1955
a right one1958
bam1959
nong-nong1959
dickhead1960
dumbo1960
Herbert1960
lamer1961
bampot1962
dipshit1963
bamstick1965
doofus1965
dick1966
pillock1967
zipperhead1967
dipstick1968
thickie1968
poephol1969
yo-yo1970
doof1971
cockhead1972
nully1973
thicko1976
wazzock1976
motorhead1979
mouth-breather1979
no-brainer1979
jerkwad1980
woodentop1981
dickwad1983
dough ball1983
dickweed1984
bawheid1985
numpty1985
jerkweed1988
dick-sucker1989
knob-end1989
Muppet1989
dingus1997
dicksack1999
eight ball-
1944 in H. Wentworth & S. B. Flexner Dict. Amer. Slang (1960) 310/2 You knuckle-heads.
1948 Amer. Speech 23 249/1 Knucklehead, a slow or stupid person.
1971 R. Parkes Line of Fire xvii. 158 What I'm trying to get across to you knuckleheads is that it was not murder!
1973 J. Cleary Ransom i. 25 He's a knuckle-head, he knows nothing and doesn't want to know.
knuckle-kneed adj. having prominent or bulging knees.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > animal body > general parts > body and limbs > [adjective] > relating to limbs > having prominent knees
knuckle-kneed1865
1865 G. MacDonald Ann. Quiet Neighbourhood v, in Sunday Mag. Nov. 76/1 They [sc. the horses] were so fat and knuckle-kneed.
knuckle sandwich n. slang a punch in the mouth.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > striking on specific part of the body > [noun] > on the head > on the mouth
knuckle sandwich1973
1973 A. Buzo Norm & Ahmed 12 He tried to hang one on me at Leichhardt Oval once, so I administered a knuckle sandwich to him.
1973 Ottawa Jrnl. 17 July 23/3 Give the guy a knuckle sandwich and let the teeth fall where they may.
knuckle-thread n. a rounded thread in a screw.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > building and constructing equipment > fastenings > [noun] > screw > thread > types of thread
worm1725
drunkenness1786
square thread1838
V-threada1877
buttress thread1882
knuckle-thread1887
1887 D. A. Low Introd. Machine Drawing (1892) 15 The angles of the square thread are frequently rounded... If this rounding is carried to excess we get the Knuckle thread shown at (d).
knuckle timber n. a timber having or forming a knuckle (see 4c).
ΚΠ
1711 W. Sutherland Ship-builders Assistant 54 The Planks under the Nuckle Timbers forward.
1850 J. Greenwood Sailor's Sea-bk. 128 Knuckle-timbers, those top~timbers in the fore body whose heads stand perpendicular, and form an angle with the hollow of the topside.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1901; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
knucklev.
/ˈnʌkl/, U.S. /ˈnək(ə)l/ 1. intransitive. To place one's knuckles upon the ground in shooting or casting the taw in playing at marbles; see sense 4. Usually knuckle down.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > children's game > marbles > children's ball games [verb (intransitive)] > actions
knuckle1735
taw1863
1735 W. Pardon Dyche's New Gen. Eng. Dict. Knuckle or Knuckle down,..is a particular Phrase used by Lads at a Play called Taw, wherein they frequently say, Knuckle down to your Taw, or fix your Hand exactly in the Place where your Marble lies.
1785 W. Cowper Tirocinium in Task 307 As happy as we once, to kneel and draw The chalky ring, and knuckle down at taw. View more context for this quotation
1842 Ld. Tennyson Will Waterproof's Monologue in Poems (new ed.) II. 188 A something-pottle-bodied boy, That knuckled at the taw.
2.
a. intransitive (figurative) To acknowledge oneself beaten; to give way, give in, submit. Usually knuckle down or knuckle under.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > be irresolute or vacillate [verb (intransitive)] > give way or give in
benda1400
sink?a1513
to give over1530
to cry creak?1562
yield1576
to hold up1596
succumb1604
to give in1616
to hoist, lower, strike the topsaila1629
to cry cravena1634
to give up or cross the cudgels1654
incumb1656
to fall in1667
to knock under1670
to knock under board, under (the) table1692
to strike underc1730
knuckle down1735
to throw (also chuck) up the sponge1860
chuck up (the sponge)1864
to throw in one's hand1893
to sky the wipe (or towel)1907
to drop one's bundle1915
to throw (chuck, or toss) in the towel1915
to buckle up1927
the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > absence of resistance > offer no resistance [verb (intransitive)] > give in
descend?a1400
to give up the girdlea1400
submita1525
to give over1530
subscribe1560
yield1576
come1607
to give in1616
to give the stoop1623
buckle1642
incumb1656
to knock under board, under (the) table1692
capitulate1714
to strike underc1730
knuckle down1735
cave1844
to throw (also chuck) up the sponge1860
incline1866
to give (it) best1878
give way1879
to roll over1919
society > authority > subjection > obedience > submissiveness > submission > submit [verb (intransitive)]
onboweOE
bowa1000
abeyc1300
yielda1330
loutc1330
couchc1386
to come to a person's mercy?a1400
to do (also put) oneself in (also to) a person's mercya1400
hielda1400
underlouta1400
foldc1400
to come (also to put oneself) in a person's willc1405
subjectc1475
defer1479
avale1484
to come in1485
submita1525
submita1525
stoop1530
subscribe1556
compromit1590
warpa1592
to yield (also bow oneself) to (also upon) mercy1595
to come in will to a person1596
lead1607
knuckle1735
snool1786
1735 W. Pardon Dyche's New Gen. Eng. Dict. Knuckle or Knuckle down, to stoop, bend, yield, comply with, or submit to.
1791 J. Wolcot Remonstr. 73 I knuckle not—I owe not to the great A thimble-full of obligation.
1871 T. Carlyle in J. W. Carlyle Lett. & Memorials (1883) II. 237 He had to knuckle and comply in all points.
1882 M. E. Braddon Mt. Royal II. iv. 63 They must all knuckle under to him.
1888 Times (Weekly ed.) 2 Nov. 12/3 He would not knuckle down under the attacks of the Land League.
1955 Times 19 May 15/4 He replied that there was no power on earth to make a local party accept a candidate. He was rather sorry they knuckled under to Transport House in this division.
1964 Ann. Reg. 1963 10 Britain, he said, had ‘knuckled under’ to threats of African violence, but there was little he could constitutionally do about it.
1973 Nation Rev. (Melbourne) 31 Aug. 1444/1 Now the last group of any size..has knuckled under following a series of splits and coups.
b. to knuckle down to, to apply oneself earnestly or vigorously (Webster 1864).
3.
a. transitive. To tap, strike, press, or rub with the knuckles.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific thing > strike with specific thing [verb (transitive)] > with the hand > with the knuckles
nubc1610
nubble1673
knub1721
knubble1721
knuckle1792
1792 J. Pearson Polit. Dict. 49 Little Shiells, who is a mercenary dog, knuckles them [reporters] just as he pleases.
1825 H. Smith Gaieties & Gravities I. 138 I need not ask thee if that hand, when arm'd, Has any Roman soldier maul'd and knuckled.
a1849 T. L. Beddoes Poems (1851) I. 111 Uncourteous Death Knuckles the pane.
1890 W. C. Russell Ocean Trag. I. xii. 251 The seaman knuckled his forehead and wheeled round.
b. To dig (one's hand) into a specified position, knuckles first.
ΚΠ
1890 H. Caine Bondman I. i. 10 Thrusting his head beneath his chin, he knuckled his left hand under the islander's rib.
4. transitive. To propel or shoot (a marble, etc.) from between the knuckle of the thumb and the bent forefinger.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > children's game > marbles > children's ball games [verb (transitive)] > actions
fullock1727
knuckle1803
1803 W. Taylor in Ann. Rev. 1 354 Flying kites, knuckling marbles, chuck-halfpenny, etc.
1897 S. R. Crockett Lads' Love x. 90 ‘Go on’, she said, knuckling little stones at a puddock.
5. intransitive. To protrude or project like a knuckle.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > unevenness > projection or prominence > protuberance or rounded projection > be or become protuberant [verb (intransitive)]
struta1300
bouge1398
embossc1430
bagc1440
bossc1449
bunch1495
bump1566
boin1567
protuberate1578
pagglea1592
bulch1611
extuberate1623
belly1627
heave1629
bulge1679
swell1679
bud1684
pod1806
bilge1849–52
sag1853
knucklec1862
poocha1903
c1862 in Circle of Sci. I. 272/2 There is no danger of the conductor knuckling through the gutta-percha.
6. Farriery. With over, of the knee or fetlock: ? to project through weakness of the ligaments. Also with forwards. (Cf. knuckle-kneed adj. at knuckle n. Compounds 2.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > body or parts of horse > [verb (intransitive)] > project (of fetlock)
knuckle1877
1877 A. Sewell Black Beauty (c1878) xl. 198 The knees knuckled over, and the forelegs were very unsteady.
1877 M. H. Hayes Vet. Notes for Horse Owners i. 30 ‘Knuckling over’, as a result of hard work, appears to be due to relaxation of the capsular and lateral ligaments [of the fetlock joint].
1906 J. W. Axe Horse IV. 53 The animal knuckles over at the joints.
1907 J. W. Axe Horse V. 298 The movements of the hind-limbs are for a time weak, and the fetlocks knuckle over now and again during progression.
1907 J. W. Axe Horse VI. 347 In young horses it is common to meet with a knuckling forwards of the hind fetlocks.
7. Golf. To bend (the knee) inward. Also absol.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > golf > play golf [verb (intransitive)] > movements
to follow through1857
borrow1897
knuckle1909
1909 Times 23 Apr. 16/2 An elaborate knuckling of the right knee in putting.
1909 Times 23 Apr. 16/2 The ‘knuckling’ habit in putting has long been exposed as fallacious.
1909 Westm. Gaz. 11 May 12/3 You may ‘knuckle’ if knuckling conduces to comfort, provided that..you get the process over before beginning the actual stroke.
Derivatives
knuckle-down n. (a) a game at marbles (see 1 and 4); (b) submission; as adv. = submissively.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > obedience > submissiveness > submission > [noun]
kneeinga1240
submittingc1460
submissiona1475
submittance1602
resignation1663
dedition1667
knuckle-down1859
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > children's game > marbles > [noun] > type of game
taw1709
chock1819
ring taw1828
knucks1840
spannims1847
three-holes1853
knuckle-down1859
bonce1862
spanners1881
stonk1896
1859 J. Ruskin Two Paths iv. 181 How that vagabond child at the street corner is managing his game of knuckle~down.
1878 E. Jenkins Haverholme 215 Our people are bent on nothing but a complete knuckle-down.
1880 R. D. Blackmore Mary Anerley III. 184 Long sighs only lead to turn-up noses. He plays too knuckle-down at it.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1901; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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