Elbow
Elbow , noun
[Anglo-Saxon elboga, elnboga (akin to Dutch elleboga, Old High German elinbogo, German ellbogen, ellenbogen, Icelandic {not transcribed}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.
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.
(Architecture) 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
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.
Collocations (5)
At the elbow , very near; at hand.
Elbow grease , energetic application of force in manual labor. [Low]
Elbow in the hawse (Nautical) , the twisting together of two cables by which a vessel rides at anchor, caused by swinging completely round once. — Totten
Elbow scissors (Surgery) , 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.
Elbow , transitive verb
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.
Collocations (1)
To elbow one's way , to force one's way by pushing with the elbows; as, to elbow one's way through a crowd.
Elbow , intransitive verb
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.