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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Knuckle \Knuc"kle\, n. [OE. knokel, knokil, AS. cuncel; akin to
D. knokkel, OFries. knokele, knokle, G. kn["o]chel, Sw.
knoge, Dan. knokkel, G. knochen bone, and perh. to E. knock.]
1. The joint of a finger, particularly when made prominent by
the closing of the fingers. --Davenant.
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2. The kneejoint, or middle joint, of either leg of a
quadruped, especially of a calf; -- formerly used of the
kneejoint of a human being.
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With weary knuckles on thy brim she kneeled sadly
down. --Golding.
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3. The joint of a plant. [Obs.] --Bacon.
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4. (Mech.) The joining parts of a hinge through which the pin
or rivet passes; a knuckle joint.
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5. (Shipbuilding) A convex portion of a vessel's figure where
a sudden change of shape occurs, as in a canal boat, where
a nearly vertical side joins a nearly flat bottom.
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6. A contrivance, usually of brass or iron, and furnished
with points, worn to protect the hand, to add force to a
blow, and to disfigure the person struck; -- called also
{knuckle duster}, {knuckles} or {brass knuckles}. [Slang.]
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{Knuckle joint} (Mach.), a hinge joint, in which a projection
with an eye, on one piece, enters a jaw between two
corresponding projections with eyes, on another piece, and
is retained by a pin which passes through the eyes and
forms the pivot.

{Knuckle of veal} (Cookery), the lower part of a leg of veal,
from the line of the body to the knuckle.
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knuckles \knuc"kles\ n. pl.
a small metal weapon, worn over the knuckles on the back of
the hand; called also {brass knuckles} and {knuckle duster}.

Syn: brass knucks, knucks, brass knuckles, knuckle duster.
[WordNet 1.5]