Knives
/naɪvz/noun
The plural of knife, referring to cutting tools or weapons with sharp blades.
Did you know?The plural ending in “knives” preserves a centuries-old Germanic sound change in which the /f/ of “knife” became /v/ between voiced sounds.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*knībaz
“A reconstructed Germanic word probably referring to a knife or cutting blade; its deeper origin is uncertain.”
Old Norse
Old Norse
knífr
“Knife; a sharp-bladed cutting instrument or weapon.”
Old English
Old English
cnīf
“Knife; an early English form related to the Scandinavian word.”
Middle English
Middle English
knif
“Knife; the initial k was retained in spelling although it was no longer pronounced.”
Modern English
English
knife
“A cutting instrument or weapon with a sharp blade.”
Modern English
English
knives
“Plural of knife; the /f/ changes to /v/ before the plural ending, reflecting inherited Germanic voicing patterns.”
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