knuckles
ˈnʌkəlz
knuckles: joints of the fingers which bulge when the fist is closed
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Definition Synonyms

Definition of knuckles - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun, plural

1.
finger jointsjoints of the fingers which bulge when the fist is closed
  • He cracked his knuckles nervously before the interview..
2.
weaponssmall metal weapon worn over finger joints
  • He carried brass knuckles for protection.
brass knuckles
3.
foodTECH.cut of meat around an animal's leg jointTECH.
  • The recipe called for pork knuckles.
hock shank
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Images of knuckles

  • knuckles: joints of the fingers which bulge when the fist is closed
    joints of the fingers which bulge when the fist is closed
  • knuckles: cut of meat around an animal's leg joint
    cut of meat around an animal's leg joint

Expressions with knuckles

💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
criticize or punish someone lightly
The teacher rapped his knuckles for being late.
give a verbal reprimand or criticism
The manager rapped knuckles for the missed deadline.
mild reprimand or criticism
The teacher gave him a rap on the knuckles for talking in class.
mildly punish or criticize someone for a mistake
The teacher rapped his knuckles for talking in class.
reprimanded or scolded for a mistake
He was rapped over the knuckles for missing the deadline.
mild scolding or criticism
The teacher gave him a rap over the knuckles for being late.

Origin of knuckles

Middle English, knokel (a joint of a finger)

Terms with knuckles included in their meaning

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pressing action
press or rub with the knuckles
hitting
strike or punch using the knuckles
weapons
metal weapon worn on the knuckles for punching
weapons
metal weapon worn over the knuckles for striking
medical
have prominent knuckles
weapon
small metal weapon worn over knuckles
medical
having knuckles that are prominent or swollen
sport
baseball pitch thrown with knuckles or fingertips causing little spin

Examples of knuckles in a sentence

  • His knuckles turned white as he gripped the steering wheel.
  • Knuckles are illegal in many countries.
  • He wore knuckles during the street fight.
  • The stew was made with beef knuckles.
  • He bought lamb knuckles for the barbecue.

View all translations of knuckles

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:articulations, coup-de-poing américain, ...
  2. German:Fingerknöchel, Schlagringe, ...
  3. Italian:nocche, tirapugni, ...
  4. Spanish:nudillos, puños americanos, ...
  5. Portuguese:articulações dos dedos, soqueira, ...
  6. Chinese:指关节, 指节铜套, ...
  7. Japanese:指の関節, メリケンサック, ...
  8. Arabic:مَفَاصِل الْأَصَابِع, قُبْضَة حَدِيدِيَّة, ...
  9. Hebrew:פַּרְקֵי הָאֶצְבָּעוֹת, אֲגַרְפָּן, ...
  10. Russian:суставы пальцев, кастет, ...
  11. Ukrainian:суглоби пальців, кастет, ...
  12. Hindi:अंगुलियों के जोड़, नकल्स, ...
knuckle
ˈnʌkəl

Definition of knuckle - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

1.
finger jointjoint between the bones of the fingers
  • He cracked his knuckles loudly.
joint knuckle joint
2.
culinarycut of meat from the leg
  • She cooked a delicious knuckle stew.
hock joint shank

Verb

1.
pressing actiontr.press or rub with the knucklestr.
  • He knuckled his eyes tiredly..
press rub scrub
2.
hittingtr.strike or punch using the knucklestr.
  • He knuckled the punching bag with force.
hit punch
3.
conflictintr.USyield or give inintr.US
  • She finally knuckled under the pressure.
submit yield
4.
gesturetr.DatedUKtouch forehead as a mark of respecttr.DatedUK
  • He knuckled his forehead to the elder.
greet salute
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Images of knuckle

  • knuckle: cut of meat from the leg
    cut of meat from the leg
  • knuckle: mechanical joint in machinery
    mechanical joint in machinery
  • knuckle: rounded point on a ski slope
    rounded point on a ski slope

Expressions with knuckle

💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
start working hard and seriously
After the break, she decided to knuckle down and finish her thesis..
close to being offensive or inappropriate
His jokes are often near the knuckle.
yield to pressure or authority unwillingly
He finally decided to knuckle under to his boss's demands.
any joint of the fingers
He cracked his knuckle joints loudly.
metal weapon worn on the knuckles for punching
He was arrested for carrying knuckle dusters.
metal weapon worn over the knuckles for striking
He was arrested for carrying a knuckle-duster in his pocket..

Origin of knuckle

Middle English, knokel (joint) + -le (diminutive suffix)

Examples of knuckle in a sentence

  • The knuckle was swollen after the fall.
  • The butcher recommended the knuckle for roasting.
  • Knuckle cuts are popular in traditional recipes.
  • The engineer inspected the knuckle for wear.
  • A broken knuckle can halt production.
  • The skier avoided the knuckle during his descent.

View all translations of knuckle

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:jointure, frotter avec les jointures, ...
  2. German:Fingerknöchel, mit den Knöcheln reiben, ...
  3. Italian:nocca, strofinare con le nocche, ...
  4. Spanish:nudillo, frotar con los nudillos, ...
  5. Portuguese:nó dos dedos, esfregar com os nós dos dedos, ...
  6. Chinese:指关节, 用指关节按压, ...
  7. Japanese:指の関節, こする, ...
  8. Arabic:عُقْلَة, فَرَكَ, ...
  9. Hebrew:פֶּרֶק אֶצְבַּע, לְשַׁפְשֵׁף בִּפְרָקֵי הָאֶצְבָּעוֹת, ...
  10. Russian:костяшка, тереть костяшками пальцев, ...
  11. Ukrainian:суглоб, терти кісточками пальців, ...
  12. Hindi:उँगली का जोड़, पोरों से मलना, ...
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