Emily Dickinson Lexicon

KNIFE, n. [nife; plur. Knives; nives. Sax. cnif; Dan. kniv; Sw. knif; Fr. ganif or canif. This word seems to have a connection with the D. knippen, Sw. knipa, to clip or pinch, to nip; Dan. kniber, G. kneifen, W. cneiviaw, to clip, to shear. Its primary sense then is an instrument that nips off, or cuts off with a stroke.]

1. A cutting instrument with a sharp edge. Knives are of various shapes and sizes, adapted to their respective uses; as, table knives; carving knives, or carvers; pen-knives, &c.
2. A sword or dagger. – Spenser.