penknives Definition
a small knife with a blade that folds into the handle, suitable for carrying in a pocket.
Using penknives: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "penknives" 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 whittle a stick.
Example
She gave him a penknife as a gift.
penknives Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for penknives
- jackknife
- pocket knife
Phrases with penknives
Example
The patient was under the penknife for several hours.
Example
The ambassador's penknife diplomacy helped to resolve the conflict peacefully.
Example
His penknife wit made him popular among his friends.
Origins of penknives
from Old English 'penn', meaning 'pin' or 'point', and 'cnif', meaning 'knife'
Summary: penknives in Brief
'Penknives' [pen-naivz] are small folding knives that can be carried in a pocket. They are useful for various tasks, such as whittling or cutting. The phrase 'under the penknife' refers to being subjected to medical treatment or surgery, while 'penknife diplomacy' denotes the use of subtle tactics to achieve a goal. 'Penknife wit' is the ability to make clever and witty remarks.