carving-knife

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A knife used for carving: "carving-knife" refers to a large, sharp knife specifically designed for cutting cooked meat into slices, especially at the dining table.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • He used a carving-knife to slice the roasted turkey. (A sharp knife for cutting meat.)
  • The carving-knife has a long, narrow blade for precise cuts. (The blade is suited for carving tasks.)
  • She sharpened the carving-knife before the dinner party. (Preparing the knife for use.)

Advanced Usage

• "to wield a carving-knife": to use a carving-knife skillfully.

  • The chef wielded the carving-knife with expert precision. (He used the knife expertly.)

• "carving-knife set": a collection of carving knives, often including a fork and sharpener.

  • He bought a new carving-knife set for the holiday meals. (A set of tools for carving meat.)

Variants and Related Words

• Carving (n): the act of cutting or shaping a material, especially meat or wood.

  • The carving of the roast took only a few minutes. (The process of slicing the meat.)

• Carve (v): to cut into a shape or slice, especially meat.

  • She will carve the chicken for the guests. (She will slice the chicken.)

Synonyms

• Carver: a knife used for carving (often a synonym for carving-knife).
  • He reached for the carver to cut the ham. (The carving knife.)
• Slicer: a knife designed for cutting thin slices.
  • A meat slicer works similarly to a carving-knife. (A tool for slicing.)

Related Idioms

• "to be a carving-knife in a butter dish": (rare) to be in a situation where one's skill or tool is too sharp or powerful for the task.
  • His criticism was like a carving-knife in a butter dish — too harsh for the small mistake. (The criticism was excessive.)

Note: This idiom is not common; most idioms involve "carve" or "knife" separately.