knucks

9.9

A small metal weapon that you wear on the back of the hand to hit someone

noun
/nʌks/

Slang

: nudillos

In the street fight, he used his knucks to deliver a powerful blow.

Examples

The police found a pair of knucks hidden in his jacket pocket.
He slipped on his knucks before walking into the bar, ready to defend himself.
Actually, Knucks, your job is to "Break Glass in Case of Emergency."

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024)
- Might as well tell him, Knucks.

Paddington 2 (2017)

Synonyms

brass knuckles

vsknucks

NSFW

5 7.7

A metal band worn over the knuckles to make a punch stronger

is the general small metal form not focused on band shape

knuckles

vsknucks

2 9.5

A small metal weapon that fits over your fingers to make a punch stronger

is used more generally for striking rather than only for punches

brass knucks

vsknucks

NSFW

9.9

A small metal weapon worn over the knuckles to make a punch hit harder

is used more for punches rather than any kind of blow

knuckle duster

vsknucks

8.6

A small metal weapon that fits over the knuckles to make a punch stronger

is the more neutral term that does not note frequent weapon use

Compounds

brass knucks

NSFW

9.9

A small metal weapon worn over the knuckles to make a punch hit harder

How Dangerous

gun

∞ 1.0

knife

NSFW

∞ 1.0

knucks

Slang

9.9

boxing glove

8 2.4

Surface Forms

knuck singular

knucks plural

Morphology

knucks = knuckle (semi-transparent) = knuckle + s

Formally related to 'knuckle(s)' (a recognizable base), but the slang weapon sense (short for knuckledusters/brass knuckles) is a specialized extension not fully predictable from the body-part meaning.

Etymology

The word knucks comes from knuckle, which means 'the joint where a finger bends'. It names a small metal weapon that fits over the knuckles, like 'brass knuckles', so the word reminds you that it sits on and is used with the knuckles to strike.