paper knife

Thân thiện

A librarian uses a paper knife to open a new book.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A dull knife used to cut open the envelopes in which letters are mailed or to slit uncut pages of books: A tool, typically with a blunt or unsharpened blade, designed for opening sealed envelopes without damaging the contents or for separating the folded edges of pages in a book that have not been trimmed apart by the publisher.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • She used a silver paper knife to open the formal invitation.
  • The antique desk set included a pen, an inkwell, and a matching paper knife.
  • Before reading the old book, he carefully slit the uncut pages with a paper knife.

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Collectible Context: A paper knife is often associated with traditional desk accessories and can be a decorative item, sometimes made from materials like ivory, silver, wood, or brass.
  • The museum displayed an ornate 19th-century paper knife made of carved bone.

Variants and Related Words

• Letter opener: A more common modern synonym for a tool used specifically for opening envelopes.

  • He reached for the plastic letter opener on his desk.

• Book knife: A term sometimes used interchangeably, emphasizing its use for separating the pages of a book.

  • The librarian used a thin book knife to separate the novel's pages.

Synonyms

• Letter opener: A tool for opening envelopes.
• Paper opener: Another term for an envelope-opening tool.

Related Idioms or Phrases

Học thuật

Noun

1. dull knife used to cut open the envelopes in which letters are mailed or to slit uncut pages of books

Từ đồng nghĩa

• letter opener
• paperknife