How Do You Spell JACKKNIFE?

Pronunciation: [d͡ʒˈakna͡ɪf] (IPA)

The word "jackknife" is spelled with two K's, although only one is pronounced. The IPA phonetic transcription for "jackknife" is /ˈdʒæknaɪf/. The "j" sound at the beginning of the word is pronounced like "dge" in "edge". The "a" sound in the first syllable is pronounced like "a" in "cat", while the "i" sounds like "eye". The second syllable is pronounced with a long "i" sound like "ife", and the "k" at the end of the word is not pronounced.

JACKKNIFE Meaning and Definition

1. Jackknife is a noun that refers to a type of folding knife that has a blade that folds into its handle. It is typically small and compact, making it convenient for carrying in one's pocket. The blade of a jackknife is commonly sharp and may be used for various tasks such as cutting ropes, opening packages, or preparing food. The handle of a jackknife is usually made of metal or plastic and may also contain additional tools or implements like a bottle opener, screwdriver, or corkscrew, depending on the design.

   The term "jackknife" can also be used as a verb, which describes a specific diving technique in swimming or an abrupt maneuver performed by a vehicle. When referring to swimming, jackknifing refers to a diving position where the diver leaps into the air, bends their body in half, and brings their knees close to their chest before entering the water. In the context of vehicles, jackknifing describes the action of a vehicle, typically a truck or trailer, where the vehicle's cab and the trailer it is hauling fold together, resembling the shape of a folding knife. This type of situation often occurs when the wheels of the vehicle lock or when excessive force is applied to the brakes, causing the trailer to swing abruptly and misalign with the cab.

Common Misspellings for JACKKNIFE

• jacknife
• hackknife
• nackknife
• mackknife
• kackknife
• iackknife
• uackknife
• jzckknife
• jsckknife
• jwckknife
• jqckknife
• jaxkknife
• javkknife
• jafkknife
• jadkknife
• jacjknife
• jacmknife
• jecksnipe

Etymology of JACKKNIFE

The word "jackknife" has an interesting etymology. It comes from the combination of two separate words: "jack" and "knife".

The first part, "jack", originally referred to a type of knife with a folding blade. This term was derived from the Middle English word "jak", which meant a small knife or dagger. The word "jak" ultimately came from the Old French word "jacques", meaning a knife used by peasants.

The second part, "knife", is a common noun that refers to a cutting tool with a sharp blade. The word "knife" has Old English roots, likely derived from the Proto-Germanic word "knīƀaz".

When combined, "jackknife" refers to a specific type of folding knife, characterized by a folding blade that fits into the handle, allowing for easy storage and portability.

Similar spelling words for JACKKNIFE

• jacksnipe,
• jackknives,
• jackanapes.

Plural form of JACKKNIFE is JACKKNIFES

Conjugate verb Jackknife

CONDITIONAL

I would jackknife

you would jackknife

he/she/it would jackknife

we would jackknife

they would jackknife

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be jackknifing

you would be jackknifing

he/she/it would be jackknifing

we would be jackknifing

they would be jackknifing

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have jackknife

you would have jackknife

he/she/it would have jackknife

we would have jackknife

they would have jackknife

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been jackknifing

you would have been jackknifing

he/she/it would have been jackknifing

we would have been jackknifing

they would have been jackknifing

FUTURE

I will jackknife

you will jackknife

he/she/it will jackknife

we will jackknife

they will jackknife

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be jackknifing

you will be jackknifing

he/she/it will be jackknifing

we will be jackknifing

they will be jackknifing

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have jackknifed

you will have jackknifed

he/she/it will have jackknifed

we will have jackknifed

they will have jackknifed

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been jackknifing

you will have been jackknifing

he/she/it will have been jackknifing

we will have been jackknifing

they will have been jackknifing

IMPERATIVE

you jackknife

we let´s jackknife

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to jackknife

PAST

I jackknifed

you jackknifed

he/she/it jackknifed

we jackknifed

they jackknifed

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was jackknifing

you were jackknifing

he/she/it was jackknifing

we were jackknifing

they were jackknifing

PAST PARTICIPLE

jackknifed

PAST PERFECT

I had jackknifed

you had jackknifed

he/she/it had jackknifed

we had jackknifed

they had jackknifed

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been jackknifing

you had been jackknifing

he/she/it had been jackknifing

we had been jackknifing

they had been jackknifing

PRESENT

I jackknife

you jackknife

he/she/it jackknifes

we jackknife

they jackknife

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am jackknifing

you are jackknifing

he/she/it is jackknifing

we are jackknifing

they are jackknifing

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

jackknifing

PRESENT PERFECT

I have jackknifed

you have jackknifed

he/she/it has jackknifed

we have jackknifed

they have jackknifed

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been jackknifing

you have been jackknifing

he/she/it has been jackknifing

we have been jackknifing

they have been jackknifing

I would have jackknifed

we would have jackknifed

you would have jackknifed

he/she/it would have jackknifed

they would have jackknifed