PENKNIFE

penknife

(noun) a small pocketknife; originally used to cut quill pens

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

penknife (plural penknives)

Originally a small utility knife for cutting the points of quill feathers or reeds into nibs to provide or repair writing implements in times before pens with artificial nibs, generally metal, became commercially available in the 19th century. Early versions of penknives commonly were small sheath knives.

A small knife designed for safe and convenient storage, typically in the form of a miniature clasp knife, or with blade retractable into the handle. For the most part, such more convenient designs eventually replaced rigid pen knives in cutting quill pens or sharpening pencils.

As the need to cut nibs for pens fell away, but small utility pocket-knives remained popular, "penknife" became synonymous with "pocket-knife". Modern penknives often incorporate other tools such as corkscrews, but as a rule are smaller than general-purpose pocketknives.

Source: Wiktionary

Pen"knife`, n.; pl. Penknives. Etym: [Pen + knife.]

Definition: A small pocketknife; formerly, a knife used for making and mending quill pens.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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