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Buckle vs Knuckle - What's the difference?

buckle | knuckle |

As verbs the difference between buckle and knuckle

is that buckle is to distort or collapse under physical pressure; especially, of a slender structure in compression while knuckle is to apply pressure, or rub or massage with one's knuckles.

As nouns the difference between buckle and knuckle

is that buckle is a clasp used for fastening two things together, such as the ends of a belt, or for retaining the end of a strap while knuckle is any of the joints between the phalanges of the fingers.

buckle

English

(wikipedia buckle)

Etymology 1

From a frequentative form of .

Verb

(buckl)
  • To distort or collapse under physical pressure; especially, of a slender structure in compression.
  • * 2012 October 31, David M. Halbfinger, "[http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/01/nyregion/new-jersey-continues-to-cope-with-hurricane-sandy.html?hp]," New York Times (retrieved 31 October 2012):
    • Perhaps as startling as the sheer toll was the devastation to some of the state’s well-known locales. Boardwalks along the beach in Seaside Heights, Belmar and other towns on the Jersey Shore were blown away. Amusement parks, arcades and restaurants all but vanished. Bridges to barrier islands buckled , preventing residents from even inspecting the damage to their property.
  • To make bend; to cause to become distorted.
  • (figuratively) To give in; to react suddenly or adversely to stress or pressure (of a person).
    • It is amazing that he has never buckled after so many years of doing such urgent work.
  • To yield; to give way; to cease opposing.
  • * Samuel Pepys
    • The Dutch, as high as they seem, do begin to buckle .
  • (obsolete) To enter upon some labour or contest; to join in close fight; to contend.
  • * Latimer
    • The bishop was as able and ready to buckle with the Lord Protector as he was with him.
  • * Shakespeare
    • In single combat thou shalt buckle with me.
  • To buckle down; to apply oneself.
  • * Barrow
    • To make our sturdy humour buckle thereto.
  • * J. D. Forbes
    • Before buckling to my winter's work.
  • * Fuller
    • Cartwright buckled himself to the employment.

    Etymology 2

    * Noun: (etyl) bocle, from (etyl) . * Verb: bokelen "to arch the body," from (etyl) .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (countable) A clasp used for fastening two things together, such as the ends of a belt, or for retaining the end of a strap.
  • (Canada, heraldry) The brisure of an eighth daughter.
  • (roofing) An upward, elongated displacement of a roof membrane frequently occurring over insulation or deck joints. A buckle may be an indication of movement with the roof assembly.
  • A distortion, bulge, bend, or kink, as in a saw blade or a plate of sheet metal.
    • (Knight)
  • A curl of hair, especially a kind of crisp curl formerly worn; also, the state of being curled.
  • * Washington Irving
    • earlocks in tight buckles on each side of a lantern face
  • * Addison
    • lets his wig lie in buckle for a whole half year
  • A contorted expression, as of the face.
  • * Churchill
    • 'Gainst nature armed by gravity, / His features too in buckle see.

    Verb

  • To fasten using a buckle.
  • (Scotland) To unite in marriage.
    • (Sir Walter Scott)

    See also

    * buckle down * buckle up * turnbuckle

    Anagrams

    *

    knuckle

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Any of the joints between the phalanges of the fingers.
  • (by extension) A mechanical joint.
  • A cut of meat.
  • (sports, billiards, snooker, pool) The curved part of the cushion at the entrance to the pockets on a cue sports table.
  • The kneejoint of a quadruped, especially of a calf; formerly used of the kneejoint of a human being.
  • * Golding
    • With weary knuckles on thy brim she kneeled sadly down.
  • (obsolete) The joint of a plant.
    • (Francis Bacon)
  • (shipbuilding) A convex portion of a vessel's figure where a sudden change of shape occurs, as in a canal boat, where a nearly vertical side joins a nearly flat bottom.
  • A contrivance, usually of brass or iron, and furnished with points, worn to protect the hand, to add force to a blow, and to disfigure the person struck; a knuckle duster.
    • brass knuckles

    Derived terms

    * brass knuckles * knuckle down * knuckle joint * knuckle under * knuckleball * knuckledragger * knuckleduster * knucklehead * knuckle sandwich * near the knuckle * white-knuckled * white knuckle ride

    Verb

    (knuckl)
  • To apply pressure, or rub or massage with one's knuckles.
    • He knuckled the sleep from his eyes.