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.
pocketknife
Meanings
Related Words
penknife noun
/ˈpɛnˌnaɪf/ /ˈpɛnnaɪf/
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.
