01 n. The joint of a finger, particularly when made prominent by the closing of the fingers.
-
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.] Also: knuckle duster, knuckles, brass knuckles
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.