What is "brass knuckles"

Knuckle \Knuc"kle\, n. [OE. knokel, knokil, AS. cuncel; akin to D. knokkel, OFries. knokele, knokle, G. kn["o]chel, Sw. knoge, Dan. knokkel, G. knochen bone, and perh. to E. knock.]

1. The joint of a finger, particularly when made prominent by the closing of the fingers.
   --Davenant.

2. The kneejoint, or middle joint, of either leg of a quadruped, especially of a calf; -- formerly used of the kneejoint of a human being.

   With weary knuckles on thy brim she kneeled sadly down.
   --Golding.

3. The joint of a plant. [Obs.]
   --Bacon.

4. (Mech.) The joining parts of a hinge through which the pin or rivet passes; a knuckle joint.

5. (Shipbuilding) A convex portion of a vessel's figure where a sudden change of shape occurs, as in a canal boat, where a nearly vertical side joins a nearly flat bottom.

6. A contrivance, usually of brass or iron, and furnished with points, worn to protect the hand, to add force to a blow, and to disfigure the person struck; -- called also knuckle duster, knuckles or brass knuckles. [Slang.]

   Knuckle joint (Mach.), a hinge joint, in which a projection with an eye, on one piece, enters a jaw between two corresponding projections with eyes, on another piece, and is retained by a pin which passes through the eyes and forms the pivot.

   Knuckle of veal (Cookery), the lower part of a leg of veal, from the line of the body to the knuckle.

knuckles \knuc"kles\ n. pl. a small metal weapon, worn over the knuckles on the back of the hand; called also brass knuckles and knuckle duster.

Syn: brass knucks, knucks, brass knuckles, knuckle duster.

n. A weapon consisting of a metal reinforcement for the clenched fist, with finger holes molded in.

n. a small metal weapon; worn over the knuckles on the back of the hand [syn: brass knucks, knucks, knuckles, knuckle duster]

Brass knuckles, also sometimes called knuckles, knucks, brass knucks, knucklebusters, knuckledusters, or a classic, are weapons used in hand-to-hand combat. Brass knuckles are pieces of metal shaped to fit around the knuckles. Despite their name, they are often made from other metals, plastics or carbon fibers. Designed to preserve and concentrate a punch's force by directing it toward a harder and smaller contact area, they result in increased tissue disruption, including an increased likelihood of fracturing the victim's bones on impact. The extended and rounded palm grip also spreads across the attacker's palm the counter-force that would otherwise be absorbed primarily by the attacker's fingers, reducing the likelihood of damage to the attacker's fingers.

Brass Knuckles is the fifth studio album by American recording artist Nelly, released on September 16, 2008. The album cover was voted the 'Sexiest Album Cover Women Play Themselves To' in the Playboy Bunnies Convention in 2009. In 2008 Nelly embarked on The Brass Knuckles Tour in support of the album.

Brass Knuckles is an electronic dance music trio originating from Miami, consisting of Danny D'Brito, Tony Livadas, and Anthony Pisano.

Brass knuckles may mean:

• Brass knuckles, also called "knuckledusters", a metal device worn on the fingers in a fight
• Brass Knuckles (album), an album by Nelly
• Brass Knuckles (Pluto), an area on the planet Pluto