Knock
/nɒk/noun
To strike something with a sharp blow, or a sharp blow made on a door or surface.
Did you know?English *knock* is likely related to a deep Germanic sound-symbolic root for striking, and it even gave rise to the phrase “knock on wood,” a folk ritual meant to ward off bad luck.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
cnocian
“to strike, rap, or beat at a door or surface”
Middle English
ME
knokken
“to strike or hit with a sharp blow”
Early Modern English
English
knock
“to rap, strike, or make a sharp sound by hitting”
Modern English
English
knock
“to strike something with a quick, hard blow or rap”