ˈknuckler
[agent-n. f. knuckle v.]
1. Thieves' slang. A pick-pocket.
| 1834 H. Ainsworth Rookwood iii. v, No knuckler so deftly could fake a cly. |
2. A schoolboy's marble used in knuckling.
| 1896 Crockett Cleg Kelly ii. 7 One noble knuckler of alabaster. |
3. Baseball. A knuckle ball (see knuckle n. 6).
| 1928 G. H. Ruth Babe Ruth's Own Bk. Baseball vi. 79 Eddie used to toss ‘knucklers’ until he had the hitters blue in the face. 1972 N.Y. Times 4 June v. 2/5 The Mets, meanwhile, were subdued by Niekro's knuckler. |