| 释义 |
ˈknock-ˈoff, n. and a.
A. n.
1. A contrivance for knocking something off, or point at which something is knocked off.
1875Knight Dict. Mech. 1240/1 Knock off (Knitting-machine), the piece which, at the proper moment, removes the loops from the tier of needles. 1883Gresley Gloss. Coal Mining Terms, Knock off. (1) The point upon an engine plane at which the set is disconnected from the rope, or where a jockey comes into play. (2) A joint for disconnecting the bucket sword from the pump rods.
2. The act of leaving off one's work or occupation; the signal for doing this. See sense 1 of the adj.
1902Daily Chron. 13 June 6/3 Just at that moment the officer in charge gave what is technically known as the ‘knock-off’, or the signal to discontinue the play of water on the building. 1948D. Ballantyne Cunninghams (1963) i. 13 From early morning to morning smoko, to lunch, to afternoon smoko, then to knockoff.
3. slang. A robbery; concr. (see quot. 1963); phr. on the knock-off, engaged in stealing.
1936J. Curtis Gilt Kid x. 100 They [sc. gloves]..gave away the fact that he was still on the knock-off. 1963Austral. T.V. Times 18 Apr. 10/2 Knock-off, loot or illegally found goods. 1969J. Gardner Complete State of Death vi. 94 The really profitable knock-offs, like the Train Robbery.
4. A copy or reproduction of a design, e.g. of a textile, china, etc. U.S.
1966N.Y. Times 25 Jan. 44 Copying designs to sell for less has a name in the industry. It is called the ‘knockoff’. 1970Washington Post 30 Sept. B. 14/1 People who appreciate genuine pate de foie gras..might like to serve it on a decently designed plate, and not on a knock off..of 18th Century English china. 1971Time 25 Jan. 38 [Coco] Chanel had long since refused to join the cabal of Paris designers who tried to prevent style piracy... Private customers paid $700 for the original; buyers, intent on knockoffs, paid close to $1,500.
B. adj.
1. knock-off time, time to ‘knock off’ or leave off work. Also knock-off signal, knock-off whistle, etc. See sense 2 of the n.
1899F. T. Bullen Log of Sea-waif 108 It was ‘knock-off’ time. 1902Daily Chron. 13 June 6/3 After the ‘knock-off’ signal had been given. 1947K. Tennant Lost Haven xvi. 249 The knock-off whistle blew at the mill.
2. a. Machine-knitting. knock-off lap (see quot. 1957).
1884W. T. Rowlett tr. Willkomm's Technol. Framework Knitting I. ii. 102 In the second lap..the loops are simply taken back into the throats of the sinkers with the old stitches. This second lap is called a ‘knock off lap’, because it does not form stitches. Ibid., The purpose of such knock off laps is manifestly to bring as much thread as possible into the fabric, which thus becomes thick and soft, and suitable for underclothing or linings for shoes, &c. 1926J. Chamberlain Hosiery, Yarns & Fabrics vii. 173 As a lap is formed without pressing and clearing the knock-off lap it is in every sense a parallel to the tuck-stitch of ordinary knitting. 1952D. F. Paling Warp Knitting Technol. viii. 106 Knock-off laps can be used in conjunction with striped warps to produce purely vertical stripes on the face of the fabric without any overlap between adjacent colours. 1957Textile Terms & Definitions (Textile Inst.) (ed. 3) 55 Knock-off lap (warp knitting), a length (or lengths) of yarn received by a needle and not pulled through the loop of the previous course.
b. Designating a mechanical part (e.g. of a vehicle) that may be removed or disengaged by knocking.
1896W. E. Hipkins Wire Rope 47 They are connected and disconnected..by means of suitable couplings. When the rope is under considerable tension ‘knock-off’ hooks have to be used. 1905C. Hurst Valves & Valve-Gearing (ed. 4) vii. 130 In high-class Corliss engines it is often necessary to fit an automatic knock-off gear in connection with the governer, so that should the speed of the engine exceed or fall below certain limits the trips will be thrown into such a position that will prevent engagement of the catches,..the engine thus [being] brought to rest. 1958Sunday Times 26 Jan. 27/1, I would recommend that knock-off hubs are fitted in future; they can be changed in thirty seconds. 1963A. F. W. Coulson et al. Man. Cotton Spinning II. ii. v. 122 The doffing cycle commences when the desired length of lap has been made; the measuring plate..on the measuring motion releases the spring-loaded knock-off lever, which..disengages the brake on the rack-shaft. 1967Guardian 12 Sept. 3/4 Knock-off wheels with proper splined hub and graduated spokes.
c. Spinning. Associated with or bringing about knocking off (knocking vbl. n. 1 c (ii)).
1927T. Thornley Cotton Spinning (ed. 4) iii. 56 It is customary to apply a full lap automatic stop motion..to automatically stop the feed and delivery parts every time a lap is sufficiently full... The favourite..knock-off motion is worked from one of the calenders on the Hunter cog principle. |