penknife

/ˈpɛnˌnaɪf/ /ˈpɛnnaɪf/

Meanings

noun

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.

Examples :

"The old-fashioned penknife was used by the writer to sharpen his quill for his letters to family. "

noun

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.

Examples :

"My grandfather used his penknife to carefully trim the edges of the wooden box. "

item utensil device technology stationery

noun

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.

Examples :

"My grandfather's old penknife was surprisingly useful for sharpening pencils and carving small pieces of wood for his grandchildren. "

utility utensil item thing device

Related Words

retractable noun

/ɹiˈtɹæktɪbəl/

A retractable pen.

"My father uses a retractable pen for signing documents at work. "

originally adverb

/əˈɹɪdʒnəli/

As it was in the beginning.

"Originally, this paper was white, but over the years it has yellowed with age."

artificial adjective

/ɑː(ɹ)təˈfɪʃəl/

Man-made; of artifice.

"The flowers were artificial, and he thought them rather tacky."

incorporate verb

/ɪŋˈkɔɹpɚe(ɪ)t/ /ɪŋˈkɔː(ɹ).pəɹ.eɪt/ /ɪŋˈkɔɹpɚeɪt/

To include (something) as a part.

"The design of his house incorporates a spiral staircase."

grandchildren noun

/ˈɡrændˌtʃɪldrən/ /ˈɡrænˌtʃɪldrən/

A child of someone's child.

"My daughter's children are my grandchildren, and I love spending time with them after school. "

convenient adjective

/kənˈviːniənt/ /kənˈvinjənt/

Serving to reduce a difficulty, or accessible with minimum difficulty; expedient.

"The train schedule was convenient for getting to work on time. "

surprisingly adverb

/sərˈpraɪzɪŋli/ /səˈpraɪzɪŋli/

In a way that causes surprise because it is unexpected, or unusual.

"Surprisingly, my sister decided to volunteer at the animal shelter this weekend. "

commercially adverb

/kəˈmɜːrʃəli/ /kəˈmɜːrʃəlli/

In a commercial manner: a manner pertaining to commerce.

"The bakery sells its bread commercially, distributing it to local supermarkets. "

grandfather noun

/ˈɡɹæn(d)ˌfɑːðə(r)/ /ˈɡɹæn(d)ˌfɑðɚ/

A father of someone's parent.

"My grandfather helped me with my math homework. "

pocketknives noun

/ˈpɑkɪtˌnaɪvz/ /ˈpɑkətˌnaɪvz/

A knife with blades or tools that the user can fold or retract into its handle, and of a size small enough for carrying safely and handily in a pocket. Since the late 19th century the term "penknife" has not been distinct from "pocketknife", but the latter tends to refer to larger and more robust versions, sometimes with more attached tools, suited to heavier duty for casual or ad hoc applications outdoors or in workshops.

"My grandfather always carried two pocketknives, one for whittling wood and another for everyday tasks like opening packages. "

implements noun

/ˈɪmpləmənts/

A tool or instrument for working with.

"They carried an assortment of gardening implements in the truck."

eventually adverb

/ɪ.ˈvɛn.tjʊ.li/ /ɪ.ˈvɛn.t͡ʃu.li/

In the end; at some later time, especially after a long time, a series of problems, struggles, delays or setbacks.

"After many frustrating attempts, he eventually finished his school project. "