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pocketknife

pocketknife

9 3.4
A small folding knife that you carry in your pocket
  • noun
  • /ˈpɑkɪtˌnaɪf/
translation icon : cuchillo de bolsillo
  • Taking out his pocketknife, he stopped at their bed of cosmos and cut several stems.

Examples

  • Inside were three peaches, some cornpone, an old pocketknife, and a small glass jar.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • During the hike, I always carry a pocketknife for any unexpected needs.

  • I came across your pocketknife.

  • Honey, I need your pocketknife.

  • Get the pocketknife out of my boot.

  • Then he cut the string one strand at a time with his pocketknife.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Finding nothing, Decker reached into his briefcase and pulled out a pocketknife.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • When I was a young boy, I took my pocketknife and carved into my bunk bed the words of Malcolm X.

  • Huey dug into his coveralls again and brought out his pocketknife.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • I hurried to Penny Gold, drew my pocketknife, and prized out the gravel.

    Fiction book (1996)

Synonyms

switchblade
vspocketknife
  • US
17 6.6

A small pocket knife with a blade that opens when you press a button

is the regular folding type opened by hand rather than by a mechanism
pocket knife
vspocketknife
12 2.2

A small folding tool with a metal blade that fits into its handle and into a pocket

is the spelling or spacing variant of the same term
penknife
vspocketknife
5 3.6

A small folding tool with a sharp blade for cutting small things

is the general pocket design focused on carry rather than specialized original use
flick knife
vspocketknife
  • UK
8.1

A small folding knife whose blade opens quickly when you press a button

is the regular folding type opened manually rather than by a spring
Barlow knife
vspocketknife
7.8

A small folding knife with a long oval handle and one strong blade

is the general folding form carried for many tasks rather than that specific shape

How Big

hunting knife
10 2.8
pocketknife
9 3.4

Surface Forms

pocketknife singular
pocketknives plural

Morphology

pocketknife = pocket + knife (transparent) = pocket + knife

Both components are common nouns and the compound denotes a knife designed to be carried in a pocket, so the meaning is directly compositional.

Etymology

Pocketknife comes from the two words pocket ('a small pouch in your clothes') and knife ('a tool for cutting'), so it literally means a small knife that fits in a pocket. That's why a pocketknife is a small folding knife made to be carried safely with you.