Dutch

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Etymology

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From Middle Dutch cnijf, from Old Dutch *knīf, from Proto-Germanic *knībaz. Related to Dutch knijpen (to pinch). Cognate with English knife, Low German Knief, Luxembourgish Knäip, Swedish kniv, Old Norse knífr.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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knijf n (plural knijven, diminutive knijfje n)

  1. (archaic) long pointy knife, poniard
  2. (regional) switchblade
  3. (dialectal) pocketknife

Middle English

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Noun

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knijf

  1. Alternative form of knyf