Knuckle /(?)/

Knuc·kle

Knuckle

n.
  1. The joint of a finger, particularly when made prominent by the closing of the fingers.
  2. The kneejoint, or middle joint, of either leg of a quadruped, especially of a calf; -- formerly used of the kneejoint of a human being.
    With weary knuckles on thy brim she kneeled sadly down.
    — Golding.
  3. The joint of a plant. [Obs.]
  4. The joining parts of a hinge through which the pin or rivet passes; a knuckle joint. (Mech.)
  5. A convex portion of a vessel's figure where a sudden change of shape occurs, as in a canal boat, where a nearly vertical side joins a nearly flat bottom. (Shipbuilding)
  6. A contrivance, usually of brass or iron, and furnished with points, worn to protect the hand, to add force to a blow, and to disfigure the person struck; -- called also knuckle duster, knuckles or brass knuckles. [Slang.]

Phrases & Compounds
Knuckle joint
a hinge joint, in which a projection with an eye, on one piece, enters a jaw between two corresponding projections with eyes, on another piece, and is retained by a pin which passes through the eyes and forms the pivot.
Knuckle of veal
the lower part of a leg of veal, from the line of the body to the knuckle.

Knuckle

v. i.

imp. & p. p. Knuckled; p. pr. & vb. n. Knuckling

  1. To yield; to submit; -- used with down, to, or under.

Phrases & Compounds
To knuckle to
To submit to in a contest; to yield to.

Knuckle

v. t.
  1. To beat with the knuckles; to pummel. [R.]