knack

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Usage notes 1.3.2 Translations 1.3.3 Trivia 1.4 References 1.5 Verb

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

Use as "special skill" from 1580.^[1] Possibly from 14th century Middle English krak (“‘a sharp blow’”), knakke, knakken, from Low Saxon, by (onomatopoeia). Latter cognate to German knacken (“‘to crack’”). See also crack.

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /næk/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
• Rhymes: -æk

[edit] Noun

knack (plural knacks)

1. A readiness in performance; aptness at doing something; skill; facility; dexterity.
   • 2005, Plato, Sophist. Translation by Lesley Brown. 254a.

     The sophist runs for conver to the darkness of what is not and attaches himself to it by some knack of his;

2. A petty contrivance; a toy; a plaything; a knickknack.
3. Something performed, or to be done, requiring aptness and dexterity; a trick; a device.

[edit] Usage notes

Meaning is more of a special aptitude rather than a technique.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Trivia

• "knack" was the winning word at the 8th Scripps National Spelling Bee.

[edit] References

• Notes:

1. ^ “knack” in the Online Etymology Dictionary, Douglas Harper, 2001

[edit] Verb

to knack (third-person singular simple present knacks, present participle knacking, simple past and past participle knacked)

1. To crack; to make a sharp, abrupt noise to chink.
2. To speak affectedly.