Definitions

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

  • verb Simple past tense and past participle of jackknife.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • And in Montgomery County, a jackknifed tractor trailer led to delays on the Inner Loop lanes of the Beltway just north of Bradley Road, but officials said the scene had been cleared.

    Rain amends some school schedules Maria Glod 2010

  • A jackknifed tractor trailer is blocking three Inner Loop lanes on the Beltway just north of Bradley Road, according to Maryland State Police.

    Overturned tractor trailer on Md. Beltway Maria Glod 2010

  • It would be best if I were caught in a situation like the two motorists who had been killed recently when a semitrailer jackknifed on the highway.

    Chocolate & Vicodin Jennette Fulda 2011

  • The tow truck driver who pulled our rig out of the mud jackknifed it and broke out the pickup's rear window.

    Michael Thornton: 'Workampers': What It's Like to Wander Around the Country in an RV Desperately Looking for Work Michael Thornton 2011

  • Amber Smith, a stately beauty from Season Two, seemed more or less unafflicted until we saw her going through detox — jackknifed over the trash can and probing her epiglottis with a long finger.

    Retching With the Stars 2009

  • They were sitting in front of the fire house drinking beer when the tractor trailer jackknifed through the guardrail.

    Lloyd Gary Moshimer 2011

  • The man thrashed his legs and jackknifed his body, but the soldiers lifted him off the ground, raising him so high that his feet pedaled the air.

    The Omega Theory Mark Alpert 2011

  • Michael thrashed his legs and jackknifed his body, just like the hooded man had done, but Angel and Jordan were too strong.

    The Omega Theory Mark Alpert 2011

  • It would be best if I were caught in a situation like the two motorists who had been killed recently when a semitrailer jackknifed on the highway.

    Chocolate & Vicodin Jennette Fulda 2011

  • Part of Interstate 81 near Syracuse, N.Y., closed when tractor-trailers jackknifed on an icy uphill stretch.

    Ferocious winter storm shocks Northeast with snow, floods 2011

Comments

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  • According to Wikipedia:

    'Jackknifing means the accidental folding of an articulated vehicle (i.e. one towing a trailer) such that it resembles the acute angle of a folding pocket knife.'

    June 18, 2008