penknife

[ pen-nahyf ]

/ ˈpɛnˌnaɪf /

a small pocketknife, formerly one used for making and sharpening quill pens.

Origin of penknife

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at pen¹, knife

He stabbed her twice with a penknife, and one of the wounds was potentially fatal.

Norman Mailer: A Life Lived Loud |Adam Begley |October 20, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
Taking his penknife from his pocket he tried again, and cut off the buttons one by one.

The Well-Beloved |Thomas Hardy
He laid the washing-book on the table, and taking out his penknife, began to trim his nails.

The Moonstone |Wilkie Collins
He quickened his step and opened the blade of the penknife in his pocket as he did so.

Reginald Cruden |Talbot Baines Reed

I brushed them away, clicked the penknife into my pocket, made her a bow, and walked off—for the bell was ringing for school.

The Christmas Books |William Makepeace Thackeray
I think I expected him to produce an apple and a penknife, but he held out a small object on the palm of his hand.

The Window at the White Cat |Mary Roberts Rinehart

penknife

/ (ˈpɛnˌnaɪf) /

a small knife with one or more blades that fold into the handle; pocketknife

C15: so called because it was originally used for making and repairing quill pens