German edit

Etymology edit

From Knift m or f, a word found in several Central German dialects, sometimes meaning "large knife", sometimes "slice of bread". The word meaning "knife" is probably derived from Middle Low German knîf, also Middle High German knîf (West Central German), both from Proto-Germanic *knībaz (whence also English knife). The sense "rifle" can be explained from this via "weapon" or "bayonet". The word meaning "slice of bread" may be identical (via "cut off"), or otherwise a related form.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ˈknɪftə/
  • (file)

Noun edit

Knifte f (genitive Knifte, plural Kniften)

  1. (military slang) rifle
  2. (colloquial, regional) thick slice of bread

Declension edit