knuck
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
A thief or pickpocket.
Register: archaic, slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
There is a house in Cherry street, not far from Catherine Market […]. A little to the north of its door stands an old-time tree; and for many a year it has been known to the “crossmen” and “knucks” of the town as “Jack Circle's watering place” and “fence.”
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
A knuckle duster.
Register: slang
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “knuck” mean?
A thief or pickpocket.
Is “knuck” formal or informal?
knuck is generally archaic, slang.