Forms: 4–6 knak, 6–7 knacke, 7– knack. [ME. knak: in senses 1 and 2 = Du. knak, G. (orig. LG.) knack, knacke (also gnacke), knacks, Norw. knak; also Gael. cnac (? from Sc.). Of echoic origin: cf. the associated KNACK v.]
† 1. A sharp sounding blow, stroke or rap. Cf. KNAP sb.2 1. Obs. rare.
c. 1380. Sir Ferumb., 4599. Charlis lokedem be-hynde ys bak, and saw dele þar many a knak, & myche noyse make.
2. A sharp sound or noise such as is made in striking a stone with a hammer; a crack or snap.
1565–73. Cooper, Thesaurus, Concrepare digitis,… to make a fillip or knack with the fingers.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts (1658), 331. [Which] made the bone to return into his right place, with such a loud knack or crack, as it might be heard a great way off.
1609. B. Jonson, Sil. Wom., I. ii. The fellow trims him silently, and has not the knacke with his sheeres, or his fingers.
1831. J. Holland, Manuf. Metal, I. 214. The knack of the fly [used by nail-cutters] … nearly equals in the rapidity of its repetition the ticking of a watch.
† 3. A taunt, gibe, sharp repartee. Sc. Obs.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, Dyrectioun 21. Perpetualy bechydit with ilk knak.
1560. Rolland, Crt. Venus, IV. 386. Pointand thair hand with mony scorne & knak [S. T. S. ed. prints knax].
a. 1568. in Bannatyne MS., 321/18. Than will thay mak at him a knak.
