[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/knife/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [K](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/k/) / knife # knife noun (a knife, knives); verb (knife — rare) «knife» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. A knife is a tool with a sharp blade and a handle, used for cutting. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knife/#m1) 2. Knives are used at the table for eating: knife and fork. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knife/#m2) 3. To knife someone means to attack with a knife (rare, serious). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knife/#m3) ### In the lessons In cooking and safety, carry a knife with the point down, cut on a board away from your fingers, never try to catch a falling knife, and use sharp kitchen knives only with an adult. Taking a knife to school is against the law and rules in the UK, US and elsewhere; tell an adult if someone has one. At the table, the knife goes on the right. Phrases: «knife and fork», «butter knife», «bread knife», «on a knife edge» (very uncertain). ### Examples - Use a knife and fork to eat your dinner. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knife/#x1) - Cut the bread with a bread knife. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knife/#x2) - Always cut away from your fingers. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knife/#x3) - Carry a knife with the point facing down. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knife/#x4) - Don't try to catch a falling knife. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knife/#x5) - Put the knives in the drawer. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knife/#x6) - The butter knife is not sharp. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knife/#x7) - The score was on a knife edge. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knife/#x8) - He took his knife and cut it open. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knife/#x9) ### Note The k is silent: «nife». Plural: knives (f → ves). The knife goes to the right of the plate, the fork to the left. Do not confuse with «knight» (also silent k). ## In Jewish tradition The knife at the binding of Isaac is part of the test of Abraham, which ended when an angel stopped him. Proverbs uses "put a knife to thy throat" as a figure of speech for holding back one's appetite, and Judges tells of a man using a knife in a terrible act after a crime in Gibeah. **Interpretation.** Jewish tradition remembers this story, called the Akedah, on Rosh Hashanah, and asks God to remember it with mercy. Proverbs 23:2 is read as a warning to control greed. The story in Judges is read as showing how low Israel fell when there was no king. ### Examples - And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. (Torah GEN.22.10, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/K/knife/#x1) - And Abraham took the wood of the burnt-offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took in his hand the fire and the knife; and they went both of them together. (Torah GEN.22.6, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/K/knife/#x2) - The person created had a knife in his hand, and was erasing the letter Aleph of the word Emet. (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/K/knife/#x3) - And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. (Writings PRO.23.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/K/knife/#x4) - And when he was come into his house, he took a knife, and laid hold on his concubine, and divided her, limb by limb, into twelve pieces, and sent her throughout all the borders of Israel. (Prophets JDG.19.29, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/K/knife/#x5) ### Note The k is silent: «nife». Plural: knives (f → ves). The knife goes to the right of the plate, the fork to the left. Do not confuse with «knight» (also silent k). ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «knife» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knife/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«knife» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/knife.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «knife» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/K/knife/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«knife» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/knife.html) on Mova free.