a. and sb. [The phr. knock down (see KNOCK v. 8) used attrib. and as sb.]
A. adj. 1. Such as to knock down or fell to the ground; fig. irresistible, overwhelming.
1690. Dryden, Amphitryon, I. i. This same Arbitrary Power is a knock-down Argument.
1802. Wolcott (P. Pindar), Ld. Belgrave & his Motions, Wks. 1812, IV. 514. You’ve learnt to face a knock-down laugh.
1840–1. De Quincey, Style, Wks. 1859, XI. 220. These … are knock-down blows to the Socratic … philosophy.
1885. Courthope, Liberal Movement Eng. Lit., iv. 114. The view that Johnson propounded in his direct ‘knock-down’ style.
b. Adapted to be fastened by being knocked flat at the end: see KNOCK v. 8 b.
1869. Sir E. J. Reed, Shipbuild., xvii. 383. It is advantageous to have plain knockdown or conical points to steel rivets.
2. Knock-down price, the price below which an article will not be ‘knocked down’ at an auction; the reserve price.
1895. Daily News, 6 May, 6/5. ‘Fairy, favourite spaniel of Lady Bulwer’s,’… 40 gs. (Abrahams); the knock-down price last year was 54 gs.
3. Constructed so as to be easily ‘knocked down’ or taken in pieces for removal: see KNOCK v. 8 f.
1875. Knight, Dict. Mech., 1239/2. The shook may be said to be a knock-down barrel.
1888. Sci. Amer., LIX. 187. To make a knockdown wigwam, the framing should be lashed together with ropes or twine, and the bark tied to the rafters with twine.
B. sb. 1. Something that knocks one down; something overpowering; e.g., strong liquor. slang.
1698. W. King, trans. Sorbière’s Journ. Lond., 35. He answer’d me, that he had a thousand such sort of Liquors, as … Old Pharaoh, Knockdown, Hugmateè [etc.].
a. 1700. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, Knock-down, very strong Ale or Beer.
2. An act of knocking down; a blow that knocks down or fells to the ground; fig. An overwhelming blow. Also, A stand-up or free fight.
1809. Sporting Mag., XXXIII. 6. This round produced the first blood, and first knock-down.
1818. Lady Morgan, Autobiog. (1859), 85. It is a knockdown to all Morgan’s arguments and mine.
1837. Dickens, Pickw., xxxvii. ‘I’ll try and bear up agin such a reg’lar knock-down o’ talent’ replied Sam.
1845. E. Miall, Nonconf., V. 437. Let us turn to and have a real Irish knockdown.
3. A ‘knock-down’ piece of furniture: see A. 3.
1875. Knight, Dict. Mech., 1239/2. Knock-down, a piece of furniture or other structure adapted to be disconnected at the joints so as to pack compactly.
