¹knuckle

noun knuck·le \ˈnə-kəl\

: any one of the thick, bony parts (called joints) in your fingers

: a piece of meat that includes a joint from the leg of an animal

Full Definition of KNUCKLE

a : the rounded prominence formed by the ends of the two adjacent bones at a joint —used especially of those at the joints of the fingers

b : the joint of a knuckle

: a cut of meat consisting of the tarsal or carpal joint with the adjoining flesh

: something resembling a knuckle: as

a (1) : one of the joining parts of a hinge through which a pin or rivet passes (2) : knuckle joint

b : the meeting of two surfaces at a sharp angle (as in a roof)

c : a pivotal point

plural : a set of metal finger rings or guards attached to a transverse piece and worn over the front of the doubled fist for use as a weapon —called also brass knuckles

— knuck·led adjective

See knuckle defined for English-language learners

See knuckle defined for kids

Origin of KNUCKLE

Middle English knokel; akin to Middle High German knöchel knuckle

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

Rhymes with KNUCKLE

buccal, buckle, chuckle, suckle, truckle

²knuckle

verb

knuck·ledknuck·ling \ˈnə-k(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of KNUCKLE

intransitive verb

: to place the knuckles on the ground in shooting a marble

transitive verb

: to press or rub with the knuckles

See knuckle defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of KNUCKLE

1740

Rhymes with KNUCKLE

buckle, chuckle

KNUCKLE Defined for Kids

knuckle

noun knuck·le \ˈnə-kəl\

Definition of KNUCKLE for Kids

: the rounded lump formed by the ends of two bones (as of a finger) where they come together in a joint

Medical Dictionary

knuckle

noun knuck·le \ˈnək-əl\

Medical Definition of KNUCKLE

a : the rounded prominence formed by the ends of the two adjacent bones at a joint—used especially of those at the joints of the fingers b : the joint of a knuckle

: a sharply flexed loop of intestines incarcerated in a hernia