▪ I. knub, n. Now dial. or techn.
(nʌb)
Also 6 knubbe, 7 knubb. See also nub.
[Early mod.E. = LG. knubbe, MLG. knubbe, knobbe, knot, knob, protuberance, lump, etc., Da. knub block, log, stump: see knob.]
1. A small lump, a protuberance; esp. a small swelling on the body, a boil; = knob n. 1, 1 b.
| 1570 Levins Manip. 181/31 Knubbe, bruscum, callum. 1575 Turberv. Faulconrie 344 If a hawkes feete be but swolne and have not any Knubs in the ball of the foote. 1601 Holland Pliny II. 434 Frogs..with two knubs bearing out in their front like horns. Ibid. 196 The same juice..healeth the clifts and swelling knubs in the fundament. 1662 R. Mathew Unl. Alch. 137 A Woman far gone in a Scurvie,..ful of spots and knubs as big as French Nuts about her body. a 1825 Forby Voc. E. Anglia, Knub, a knob. 1897 F. T. Bullen Cruise ‘Cachalot’ 178, I came butt up against something solid, the feel of which gathered all my scattered wits into a compact knub of dread. |
† 2. A stag of the second year, a knobber. Obs.
| 1617 Assheton Jrnl. (Chetham Soc.) 61 A knubb was killed and a calf. |
3. The innermost wrapping of the chrysalis in a silk cocoon: usually nub.
| 1812 J. Smyth Pract. of Customs (1821) 214 Husks and Knubs are the refuse, which is thrown aside by the windster, during the process of winding the Silk from the cocoons. 1858 Simmonds Dict. Trade s.v., A large quantity is imported under the names of ‘knubs’ and ‘husks’ which is carded and spun up into various common silk stuffs. |
▪ II. † knub, v. dial. Obs.
[Kindred in origin to knab v.1]
1. trans. To bite gently, nibble.
| a 1652 Brome City Wit iv. i. Wks. 1873 I. 344 As you have beheld two Horses knubbing one another; Ka me, Ka thee. |
2. To beat; to strike with the knuckle. Also nub.
| 1721, 1828 [see knubble v.]. |