penknife Definition
a small knife with a blade that folds into the handle, suitable for carrying in a pocket.
Using penknife: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "penknife" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He always carries a penknife in his pocket.
Example
The boy used his penknife to carve a wooden toy.
Example
She gave him a penknife as a gift for his camping trip.
penknife Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for penknife
- jackknife
- pocket knife
- folding knife
Phrases with penknife
Example
The company's finances were put under the penknife by the auditors.
Example
The doctor had to perform penknife surgery on the wounded soldier in the field.
Example
The old man was a skilled penknife artist, creating beautiful wooden sculptures.
Origins of penknife
from Old English 'penn' meaning 'quill' and 'cnif' meaning 'knife'
Summary: penknife in Brief
'Penknife' [ˈpɛnnaɪf] is a small folding knife that can be carried in a pocket. It is commonly used for carving or cutting tasks and is also associated with outdoor activities like camping. The phrase 'under the penknife' refers to being subjected to close examination or scrutiny.
