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penknives

/ˈpɛnˌnaɪvz/

Illustration penknives - Image 1

Illustration penknives - Image 2

noun

小折刀，袖珍刀.

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 :

"My grandfather used penknives to sharpen his quill pens for his calligraphy lessons. "

我爷爷过去用小折刀（袖珍刀）来削鹅毛笔，准备他的书法课。

utility utensil item writing history weapon

Illustration penknives - Image 1

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noun

折叠小刀，袖珍刀。

Examples :

"My grandfather keeps a small collection of penknives in his workshop drawer. "

我爷爷在他的工作间抽屉里收藏了一些折叠小刀。

utility item utensil device stationery

Illustration penknives - Image 1

Illustration penknives - Image 2

noun

小折刀，袖珍刀

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 penknives were surprisingly useful for many tasks around the house, even though they were smaller than modern ones. "

我爷爷的旧小折刀虽然比现在的小折刀小，但用起来却出奇地好用，能完成很多家里的杂活。

utility item utensil technology weapon