Knob
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A knob is a round handle one pulls or twists:
- A "doorknob" is a round handle one turns to open a door and a "cabinet knob" is a small handle (usually round, but sometimes in other geometric or whimsical shapes) one pulls to open a cabinet door or drawer.
- A "control knob" controls a device and may turn a lamp on and off or make the volume on a radio go up or down.
- A "knob" Also name for penis.
- A "knob" can also refer to a foolish person.
By an analogy, a knob can also be any small, round thing that sticks out, such as the protrusions on "knobby" tires or on the red-knobbed starfish.
[edit] Characteristics
The primary trait of a knob is that it is the right size to be grasped by the hand or fingers. It differs from a handle primarily in that it does not allow the whole hand to wrap around it, whereas a handle usually does; this provides a very firm grip, making a handle much more suited to lifting and carrying. Being round, knobs are best suited for twisting, as a doorknob or control knob.
[edit] See also
Look up knob in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
- Brodie knob
- Potentiometer - commonly used with knobs.
