canif

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French

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle English knif (“knife”), from Old English cnīf (“knife”), from Proto-West Germanic *knīb, from Proto-Germanic *knībaz (“knife”). Akin to Old French cnivet, canivet (“little knife”), Catalan ganivet (“knife”), from Frankish *knīf (“knife”), from the same Germanic source. More at knife.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ka.nif/
  • Audio:(file)

Noun

canif m (plural canifs)

  1. clasp-knife, penknife
    • 1976, Serge Gainsbourg (lyrics and music), “Chez Max coiffeur pour hommes”, in L’homme à tête de chou:
      Et sens la pointe d’un canif
      Me percer le cœur je luis dis
      "Petite je te sors ce soir, ok ?"
      (please add an English translation of this quotation)

Further reading

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