Sharp-edged tools with handles, used for cutting or as weapons. Among humanity's oldest and most essential implements.
From Old English 'cnif', borrowed from Old Norse 'knifr'. The plural form 'knives' shows the Germanic pattern of f→v sound change in English plurals (like 'leaf/leaves', 'wolf/wolves').
Knives represent one of humanity's first great technological leaps - the ability to extend our natural capabilities through tools. The irregular plural 'knives' preserves ancient sound patterns in English, making every use of this word a small archaeological discovery of how language evolves.
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