knuckle duster

3 definitions found

knuckle duster - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Knuckle \Knuc"kle\, n. [OE. knokel, knokil, AS. cuncel; akin to
     D. knokkel, OFries. knokele, knokle, G. kn["o]chel, Sw.
     knoge, Dan. knokkel, G. knochen bone, and perh. to E. knock.]
     1. The joint of a finger, particularly when made prominent by
        the closing of the fingers. --Davenant.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              With weary knuckles on thy brim she kneeled sadly
              down.                                 --Golding.
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     3. The joint of a plant. [Obs.] --Bacon.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. (Mech.) The joining parts of a hinge through which the pin
        or rivet passes; a knuckle joint.
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     5. (Shipbuilding) 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.
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     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.]
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Knuckle joint (Mach.), 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 (Cookery), the lower part of a leg of veal,
        from the line of the body to the knuckle.
        [1913 Webster]

  knuckles \knuc"kles\ n. pl.
     a small metal weapon, worn over the knuckles on the back of
     the hand; called also brass knuckles and knuckle duster.
  
     Syn: brass knucks, knucks, brass knuckles, knuckle duster.
          [WordNet 1.5]

knuckle duster - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  knuckle duster
      n 1: a small metal weapon; worn over the knuckles on the back of
           the hand [syn: brass knucks, knucks, brass knuckles,
           knuckles, knuckle duster]