Meaning

(mechanics) A small piece of metal, usually steel, sharpened to an acute edge or angle, and resting on a smooth surface, serving as the fulcrum of a pendulum, scalebeam, or other piece required to oscillate with minimal friction..

Definitions by Sense

1. (mechanics) A small piece of metal, usually steel, sharpened to an acute edge or angle, and resting on a smooth surface, serving as the fulcrum of a pendulum, scalebeam, or other piece required to oscillate with minimal friction.
2. (figuratively) A precarious balance that could be upset by a very small force in either direction.
3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: the edge of a knife.

Example Sentences

Again, as the pendulum was provided with sharp knife-edges on opposite sides near its upper end, shaped like a V, on which it swung, the greater the weight of the pendulum the more wear there would be on these knife-edges.

The game was on a knife-edge.

[…]meanwhile, Biloxi and Vincennes are both in the process of going down and being abandoned, whilst Miami is right on the knife-edge of being recoverable, with three destroyers clustering around offering pumping and additional damage-control crews to try and keep the light cruiser afloat.

Boris Johnson's future on a knife edge after No 10 party apology [title]

Polling stations have opened in a knife-edge election in Finland, with polls suggesting the three leading parties are running neck-and-neck and prime minister Sanna Marin may face an uphill battle to stay in power.

Word Forms

• knife-edges
• knife edge
• knife's edge
• knife's-edge

Related Words

When Should You Use Knife-edge?

Use knife-edge when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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