knack

v. i. [ Prob. of imitative origin; cf. G. knacken to break, Dan. knage to crack, and E. knock. ] 1. To crack; to make a sharp, abrupt noise to chink. [ Obs. or Prov. Eng. ] Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To speak affectedly. [ Prov. Eng. ] Halliwell. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A petty contrivance; a toy; a plaything; a knickknack. [ 1913 Webster ]

A knack, a toy, a trick, a baby's cap. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A readiness in performance; aptness at doing a specific task; skill; aptitude; facility; dexterity; -- often used with for; as, a knack for playing the guitar. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

The fellow . . . has not the knack with his shears. B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

The dean was famous in his time,
And had a kind of knack at rhyme. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Something performed, or to be done, requiring aptness and dexterity; a trick; a device. “The knacks of japers.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

For how should equal colors do the knack ! Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who makes knickknacks, toys, etc. Mortimer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One of two or more pieces of bone or wood held loosely between the fingers, and struck together by moving the hand; -- called also clapper. Halliwell. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. Icel. hnakkr a saddle. ] 1. a harness maker. [ Obs. or Prov. Eng. ] Halliwell. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who slaughters worn-out horses and sells their flesh for dog's meat. [ Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Trickish; artful. [ Obs. ] -- Knack"ish*ness, n. [Obs.] Dr. H. More. [1913 Webster]

a. See Knock-kneed. [ 1913 Webster ]