Definition

1. Noun:
   • A hinged metal device on a door for knocking: A knocker is a piece of metal, often decorative, attached to a door by a hinge, used to knock on the door to announce one's presence.
   • A person who knocks, especially seeking entrance: A knocker is someone who knocks, typically on a door, to gain admittance.
   • A person who disparages or criticizes harshly: (Informal) A knocker is a person who habitually belittles or finds fault with something.
   • (Vulgar slang) A breast: (Informal, often considered offensive) A knocker is a term for a woman's breast.
   • (Yiddish slang) A boastful, self-important person: A knocker is a big shot who is boastful and acts in an immoderate way.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Door device):
  • He lifted the brass knocker and rapped it firmly against the door.
  • The antique door had a beautiful lion's head knocker.
• Noun (Person knocking):
  • The persistent knocker finally woke the entire household.
  • Open the door and see who the knocker is.
• Noun (Critic):
  • He's just a professional knocker who never has anything positive to say.
  • Don't be such a knocker; try to see the good in the plan.
• Noun (Slang: Breast):
  • The use of "knocker" in that context is considered vulgar and disrespectful.
• Noun (Yiddish slang):
  • He's a real knocker, always boasting about his connections.

Advanced Usage

• "Up to the knocker": (British, Australian slang) Meaning in excellent condition, perfect, or fully.
  • After the renovation, the old house was up to the knocker.

Variants and Related Words

• Knock (verb): To strike a surface, like a door, to make a noise.
• Knocking (noun/gerund): The action or sound of striking something.

Synonyms

• For the device: Door knocker, rapper.
• For the critic: Detractor, disparager, fault-finder, critic.
• For the person knocking: Visitor, caller.

Related Phrases

• Knock on wood: An idiom said to avoid bad luck, often while touching something wooden.
• Knock it off: (Phrasal verb) An informal command meaning to stop doing something.
• Knock out: (Phrasal verb) To render unconscious; to produce something impressively or quickly.

Noun

1. a device (usually metal and ornamental) attached by a hinge to a door
2. either of two soft fleshy milk-secreting glandular organs on the chest of a woman
3. one who disparages or belittles the worth of something
4. a person who knocks (as seeking to gain admittance)
   • open the door and see who the knocker is
5. (Yiddish) a big shot who knows it and acts that way; a boastful immoderate person