Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A thin dull knife used for opening sealed envelopes, slitting uncut pages of books, and creasing paper.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun Same as paper-cutter, 2.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun A dull knife used to cut open the envelopes in which letters are mailed or to slit uncut pages of books.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun a knife for cutting paper or opening envelopes

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun dull knife used to cut open the envelopes in which letters are mailed or to slit uncut pages of books
  • noun dull knife used to cut open the envelopes in which letters are mailed or to slit uncut pages of books

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

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Examples

  • Soames slowly passed a little inlaid paperknife over the smooth surface of a marqueterie table; then, without looking at his nephew, he began:

    In Chancery 2004

  • I showed him one of the photos, one taken from the paperknife.

    Some by Fire Pawson, Stuart 1999

  • I wiped the powder from the paperknife, put it in an envelope with a note and posted it in the internal mail.

    Some by Fire Pawson, Stuart 1999

  • Cordwell stabbed the paperknife into the desk top and left it quivering.

    Hard Frost Wingfield, R. D. 1995

  • He seemed embarrassed and fiddled with his paperknife, looking anywhere but at Frost.

    Frost at Christmas Wingfield, R. D. 1984

  • He picked up his stainless-steel paperknife and tapped the blade on his palm, racking his brains for something to say in his inspector's favor.

    Frost at Christmas Wingfield, R. D. 1984

  • He casually picked up the paperknife and began cleaning his nails with it, reminding me irresistibly of Jonathan who throughout my childhood had done his with the point of a rifle bullet.

    Twice shy Francis, Dick, 1920- 1981

  • Garry sniffed and picked up the paperknife. my God! Curtis marvelled.

    The Sound of Thunder Smith, Wilbur, 1933- 1966

  • He listened without interruption, playing with the ivory paperknife.

    The French Immortals Series — Complete Various

  • The little judge rapped on the table with his paperknife and urged the reader afresh upon his wild career.

    The French Immortals Series — Complete Various

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