ˈwood-knife
1. A dagger of short sword (knife n. 1 b) used by huntsmen for cutting up the game, or generally as a weapon. arch. or Hist.
| 1426 E.E. Wills (1882) 76 A swerd harnesed, a wodeknyf harnesed, and a Dagger. 1470–85 Malory Arthur xviii. xxi. 764 They were shoters, and coude wel kylle a dere..and they dayly bare bowes and arowes, hornes & wood knyues. 1568 U. Fulwell Like Will to Like E ij b, Come no neer me you knaues for your life. Lest I stick you bothe with this woodknife. 1611 Cotgr., Malcus, A Fauchion, Hangar, Wood-knife. a 1650 Boy & Mantle xxxviii. in Child Ballads I. 273/2 He pulld forth a wood kniffe,..He brought in the bores head. 1721 Strype Eccl. Mem. III. xxvi. 212 He drew his woodknife and hit the priest on the head. 1821 Scott Kenilw. xxxiv, The gay baldric, which sustained a bugle-horn, and a wood-knife instead of a sword. 1867 Morris Jason i. 83 The wood-knife at the side. |
2. A large knife for cutting off branches or twigs.
| 1880 C. R. Markham Peruv. Bark vii. 54 The cateador..conducted the party for hours through the tangled brush⁓wood,..using the wood-knife at every step. |