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jackknife
(dʒæknaɪf)
Word forms: jackknifes, jackknifing, jackknifed
intransitive verb
If a truck that is in two parts jackknifes, the back part swings around at a sharp angle to the front part in an uncontrolled way as the truck is moving.
Traffic on the Pacific Highway near Yatala was delayed early yesterday after a semi-trailerjackknifed and left the road.
jackknife in British English
(ˈdʒækˌnaɪf)
nounWord forms: plural -knives
1.
a knife with the blade pivoted to fold into a recess in the handle
2.
a former name for a type of dive in which the diver bends at the waist in midair, with the legs straight and the hands touching the feet, finally straightening out and entering the water headfirst; forward pike dive
verb (intransitive)
3.
(of an articulated lorry) to go out of control in such a way that the trailer swings round at an angle to the cab
4.
to make a jackknife dive
jackknife in American English
(ˈdʒækˌnaif) (noun plural -knives, verb -knifed, -knifing)
noun
1.
a large pocketknife
2. Diving
a dive in which the diver bends in midair to touch the toes, keeping the legs straight, and then straightens out
intransitive verb
3.
to bend or double over like a jackknife
The fighter jackknifed and fell when he was hit in the stomach
4. (of a trailer truck)
to have the cab and trailer swivel at the linkage until they form a V shape, as the result of an abrupt stop or accident
5. (in diving)
to perform a jackknife
6.
to move rapidly at an abrupt angle
transitive verb
7.
to cause to jackknife
The blow jackknifed the fighter
8.
to cut with a jackknife
adjective
9.
resembling a jackknife, as in its shape, function, or manner of opening and folding
Word origin
[1705–15, Amer.; jack1 (cf. jockteleg) + knife]jackknife in Automotive Engineering
(dʒæknaɪf)
Word forms: (present) jackknifes, (past) jackknifed, (perfect) jackknifed, (progressive) jackknifing
verb
Related wordsThe following words are also problematic things that a vehicle may do:backfireskidstall(Automotive engineering: Design and performance)
If a truck that is in two parts jackknifes, the back part swings around at a sharp angle to the front part in an uncontrolledway as the truck is moving.
A truck pulling a camper jackknifed and brought traffic to a standstill.
The tractor-trailer jackknifed across both lanes of the icy highway.
Delays were caused by a semitrailer which had jackknifed and shed its load.
Image ofjackknife
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