Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Elbow?

\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.