(1.) Hebrews hereb, "the waster," a sharp instrument for circumcision (Joshua 5:2, 3, lit. "knives of flint;" Comp. Exodus 4:25); a razor (Ezek. 5:1); a graving tool (Exodus 20:25); an axe (Ezek. 26:9).

(2.) Hebrews maakeleth, a large knife for slaughtering and cutting up food (Genesis 22:6, 10; Proverbs 30:14).

(3.) Hebrews sakkin, a knife for any purpose, a table knife (Proverbs 23:2).

(4.) Hebrews mahalaph, a butcher's knife for slaughtering the victims offered in sacrifice (Ezra 1:9).

(5.) Smaller knives (Hebrews ta'ar, Jeremiah 36:26) were used for sharpening pens. The pruning-knives mentioned in Isaiah 18:5 (Hebrews mizmaroth) were probably curved knives.

Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (n.) An instrument consisting of a thin blade, usually of steel and having a sharp edge for cutting, fastened to a handle, but of many different forms and names for different uses; as, table knife, drawing knife, putty knife, pallet knife, pocketknife, penknife, chopping knife, etc..

2. (n.) A sword or dagger.

3. (v. t.) To prune with the knife.

4. (v. t.) To cut or stab with a knife.