[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/knuckles/)

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# knuckles

noun (plural of «knuckle»: a knuckle, knuckles); verb phrase «knuckle down», «knuckle under»

«knuckles» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Knuckles are the joints in your fingers, especially where your fingers join your hand, which stick out when you make a fist. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knuckles/#m1)
2. A knuckle is a joint of meat from an animal's leg. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knuckles/#m2)
3. To knuckle down means to start working hard. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knuckles/#m3)
4. To knuckle under means to give in. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knuckles/#m4)
5. To rap someone on the knuckles means to tap or scold them lightly as a punishment. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knuckles/#m5)

### In the lessons

In everyday life you knock on a door with your knuckles; cold weather can make knuckles dry and cracked. In science lessons about the skeleton, knuckles are joints where finger bones meet. In stories white knuckles show someone gripping tightly in fear. Phrases: «crack your knuckles», «white knuckles», «knuckle down», «rap on the knuckles» (a telling-off).

### Examples

- He knocked on the door with his knuckles. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knuckles/#x1)
- She gripped the rope until her knuckles turned white. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knuckles/#x2)
- Grandpa cracks his knuckles before playing the piano. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knuckles/#x3)
- My knuckles were sore after the cold. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knuckles/#x4)
- Each finger has three knuckles, but the thumb has two. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knuckles/#x5)
- It's time to knuckle down and revise. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knuckles/#x6)
- He grazed his knuckles on the wall. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knuckles/#x7)
- The fist showed four bumpy knuckles. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knuckles/#x8)
- If they broke down in their make-believe he rapped them on the knuckles. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knuckles/#x9)

### Note

The k is silent: NUK-ulz. Singular: knuckle. Myth: cracking your knuckles causes arthritis — studies have not shown this, though it can annoy people. Counting: one hand has 14 finger joints (three per finger, two in the thumb).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «knuckles» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knuckles/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«knuckles» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/knuckles.html) on Mova free.