Butter knife is a common term used in households and restaurants. It is a type of knife that is specifically designed to spread butter or other spreads on bread, toast, or other food items. It is a small, blunt knife that is easy to handle and is used for spreading butter without tearing the bread.
Definitions
Butter knife is a small, blunt knife that is used for spreading butter or other spreads on bread or toast. It is also known as a butter spreader or a butter spatula. The blade of a butter knife is usually less than 3 inches long and is not sharp.
Origin
The origin of the butter knife can be traced back to the 17th century when butter was first introduced as a spread. Initially, people used their fingers or spoons to spread butter on bread. But as time passed, a small, blunt knife was designed specifically for this purpose.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a butter knife is “a small knife with a dull edge used to spread butter or other soft substances on bread or toast.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “a knife with a blunt edge used for spreading butter or other soft substances.”
Associations
Butter knife is associated with breakfast, brunch, and afternoon tea. It is also associated with fine dining and is often used in restaurants to spread butter on bread.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of butter knife are butter spreader, butter spatula, and butter paddle.
Antonyms
As butter knife is a specific type of knife, it does not have any antonyms.
The same root words
There are no root words associated with the term butter knife.
Example Sentences
- Can you pass me the butter knife, please?.
- The butter knife is too blunt to cut anything.
- I always use a butter knife to spread jam on my toast.