See Also: Herbal medicine (botanical medicine, herbology, phytomedicine)(health)
knuckle(medicine)
knuckle(2)(dictionary)
knuckle(1)(dictionary)
knuckle-dragger(dictionary)
knuckle 1, noun(dictionary)
aortic knuckle(medicine)
knuckle pads(medicine)
knuckle 2, verb(dictionary)
knuckle sign(medicine)

knuckle (medicine)


knuckle


1. The joint of a finger, particularly when made prominent by the closing of the fingers.

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. "With weary knuckles on thy brim she kneeled sadly down." (Golding)

3. The joint of a plant.

4. <mechanics> The joining pars of a hinge through which the pin or rivet passes; a knuckle joint.

5. 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.

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; as, brass knuckles; called also knuckle duster. Knuckle joint, the lower part of a leg of veal, from the line of the body to the knuckle.

Origin: OE. Knokel, knokil, AS. Cuncel; akin to D. Knokkel, OFries. Knokele, knokle, G. Knochel, Sw. Knoge, Dan. Knokkel, G. Knochen bone, and perh. To E. Knock.

Source: Websters Dictionary