Knife ", v. t. Fig.: To stab in the back; to try to defeat by underhand means, esp. in politics; to vote or work secretly against (a candidate of ones own party). [Slang, U. S.]"

Knife (?), n.; pl.Knives (#). [OE. knif, AS. cnīf; akin to D. knijf, Icel. knīfr, Sw. knif, Dan. kniv.]

1. An instrument consisting of a thin blade, usually of steel and having a sharp edge for cutting, fastened to a handle, but of many different forms and names for different uses; as, table knife, drawing knife, putty knife, pallet knife, pocketknife, penknife, chopping knife, etc..

2. A sword or dagger.

"The coward conquest of a wretchs knife." Shak.

Knife grass (Bot.) a tropical American sedge (Scleria latifolia), having leaves with a very sharp and hard edge, like a knife. -- War to the knife, mortal combat; a conflict carried to the last extremity.

Knife , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Knifed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Knifing (?).]

1. (Hort.) To prune with the knife.

2. To cut or stab with a knife. [Low]

-- Webster's unabridged 1913