paper knife

noun

1
: a knife for slitting envelopes or uncut pages
2
: the knife of a paper cutter

Examples of paper knife in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And why is her only luggage a purse, and one of her few airport purchases a paper knife? Ian Rankin, WSJ, 9 Oct. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of paper knife was in 1789

Dictionary Entries Near paper knife

Cite this Entry

“Paper knife.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paper%20knife. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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