Definitions for: Elbow


[n] the joint of a mammal or bird that corresponds to the human elbow
[n] the part of a sleeve that covers the elbow; "his coat had patches over the elbows"
[n] a sharp bend in a road or river
[n] a length of pipe with a sharp bend in it
[n] hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
[v] shove one's elbow into another person's ribs
[v] push one's way with the elbows



Webster (1913) Definition: El"bow, n. [AS. elboga, elnboga (akin to D. elleboga,
OHG. elinbogo, G. ellbogen, ellenbogen, Icel. ?lnbogi; prop.;
arm-bend); eln ell (orig., forearm) + boga a bending. See 1st
Ell, and 4th Bow.]
1. The joint or bend of the arm; the outer curve in the
middle of the arm when bent.

Her arms to the elbows naked. --R. of
Gloucester.

2. Any turn or bend like that of the elbow, in a wall,
building, and the like; a sudden turn in a line of coast
or course of a river; also, an angular or jointed part of
any structure, as the raised arm of a chair or sofa, or a
short pipe fitting, turning at an angle or bent.

3. (Arch.) A sharp angle in any surface of wainscoting or
other woodwork; the upright sides which flank any paneled
work, as the sides of windows, where the jamb makes an
elbow with the window back. --Gwilt.

Note: Elbow is used adjectively or as part of a compound, to
denote something shaped like, or acting like, an elbow;
as, elbow joint; elbow tongs or elbow-tongs; elbowroom,
elbow-room, or elbow room.

At the elbow, very near; at hand.

Elbow grease, energetic application of force in manual
labor. [Low]

Elbow in the hawse (Naut.), the twisting together of two
cables by which a vessel rides at anchor, caused by
swinging completely round once. --Totten.

Elbow scissors (Surg.), scissors bent in the blade or shank
for convenience in cutting. --Knight.

Out at elbow, with coat worn through at the elbows; shabby;
in needy circumstances.


El"bow, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Elbowed; p. pr. & vb. n.
Elbowing.]
To push or hit with the elbow, as when one pushes by another.

They [the Dutch] would elbow our own aldermen off the
Royal Exchange. --Macaulay.

To elbow one's way, to force one's way by pushing with the
elbows; as, to elbow one's way through a crowd.


El"bow, v. i.
1. To jut into an angle; to project or to bend after the
manner of an elbow.

2. To push rudely along; to elbow one's way. ``Purseproud,
elbowing Insolence.'' --Grainger.

Synonyms: articulatio cubiti, cubital joint, cubitus, elbow joint

See Also: arm, arm, articulatio, articulation, bend, cloth covering, crazy bone, curve, foreleg, funny bone, ginglymoid joint, ginglymus, hinge joint, joint, jostle, musculus articularis cubiti, nudge, pipage, pipe, piping, poke at, prod, shove, sleeve

Try our:
Scrabble Word Finder

Scrabble Cheat

Words With Friends Cheat

Hanging With Friends Cheat

Scramble With Friends Cheat

Ruzzle Cheat



Related Resources:
animals beginning with c