knife-edge

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A small piece of metal, usually steel, sharpened to an acute edge or angle, and resting on a smooth surface, serving as the fulcrum of a pendulum, scalebeam, or other piece required to oscillate with minimal friction.
  2. A precarious balance that could be upset by a very small force in either direction.
  3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: the edge of a knife.

Pronunciation

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-knife-edge.wav

Word forms

knife-edge knife-edges knife edge knife's edge knife's-edge

Derived words

knife-edge file knife-edge effect
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