Definition

1. Noun:
   • A knife with a fixed blade that is carried in a sheath. This type of knife is designed for portability and protection, often used historically or in outdoor settings.
   • A metal blade with a handle; used as cutlery. This is a more general, often historical, term for a knife used for eating or at the table.

Usage and Examples

• Noun (Sheathed Knife):
  • The frontiersman drew his case knife from his belt to cut the rope.
  • He kept a sharp case knife in a leather sheath for whittling wood.
• Noun (Cutlery):
  • In the 18th century, a traveler would often carry his own case knife and spoon.
  • The antique set included a fork and a case knife with a bone handle.

Advanced Usage

• The term "case knife" is now considered somewhat archaic or historical. In modern contexts, more specific terms like "sheath knife," "hunting knife," or simply "knife" are used for the first meaning. For the second meaning, "table knife" or "dinner knife" is standard.

Variants and Related Words

• Sheath Knife (n.): A knife with a fixed blade carried in a protective sheath; a direct synonym for the first meaning of "case knife."
• Pocketknife (n.): A knife with a folding blade(s) that fits in the pocket. This is different from a "case knife," which has a fixed blade.
• Table Knife (n.): A knife used for eating, typically part of a set of cutlery; corresponds to the second meaning.

Synonyms

• For the sheathed knife: Sheath knife, hunting knife.
• For the cutlery: Table knife, dinner knife.

Notes on Meaning

• The two definitions represent distinct historical uses. The core idea is a knife that is stored or carried in a protective "case" (a sheath or a carrying set), distinguishing it from a folding pocketknife or a kitchen knife kept in a drawer.

Noun

1. a knife with a fixed blade that is carried in a sheath
2. a metal blade with a handle; used as cutlery