# elbow

Pronunciation: say "EL-boh" US /ˈɛlboʊ/, UK /ˈɛlbəʊ/

## Noun

1. The joint connecting the upper arm and the forearm, which allows the arm to bend.
   - Simple: The joint in the middle of your arm that lets it bend.
   - _The doctor examined her swollen elbow after the fall._
   - _Tennis players often strain the tendons around the elbow._
2. A turn or bend resembling that of the arm joint, such as an angle in a wall, coastline, or a short bent pipe fitting.
   - Simple: A sharp bend or angled part of something, like a turn in a pipe or a wall.
   - _The plumber fitted an elbow to route the water line around the corner._
   - _The trail bends at a rocky elbow before descending to the shore._
3. A strike or blow delivered with the elbow.
   - Simple: A hit given with the elbow.
   - _The defender threw an elbow as they fought for the ball._
   - _A stray elbow to the jaw left him dazed for a moment._
8. On a basketball court, the spot where the free-throw line meets the edge of the free-throw lane.
   - Simple: The spot on a basketball court where the free-throw line meets the side of the lane.
   - _The point guard pulled up for a jumper from the right elbow._
   - _Defenders collapsed as he caught the ball at the elbow._
9. In knot-tying, two nearby points where a rope crosses over itself.
   - Simple: Two places close together where a rope crosses over itself.
   - _Form an elbow in the line, then pass the working end through both loops._
   - _An elbow in the rope adds friction that helps the hitch hold._

## Verb

4. To nudge, jostle, or push someone, especially to make one's way through.
   - Simple: To push or nudge someone, often to get past them.
   - _Commuters elbow their way onto the crowded train every morning._
   - _She elbowed past the reporters to reach the waiting car._
5. To shove with the elbow or elbows, forging ahead by using them to clear a path.
   - Simple: To push people aside with your arms to move forward.
   - _Players often elbow rivals aside to grab the rebound._
   - _She elbowed the onlookers out of her path and stepped onto the stage._
6. To strike someone or something with the elbow.
   - Simple: To hit someone using your elbow.
   - _Fighters who elbow opponents illegally are penalized by the referee._
   - _He elbowed the goalkeeper during the scramble for the ball._
7. To pressure someone into quitting or losing their job so that another person can be hired in their place. *(colloquial)*
   - Simple: To push someone out of their job so someone new can take it.
   - _Executives quietly elbowed the founder out to install their own candidate._
   - _She felt the board was trying to elbow her aside in favor of a younger hire._

## Noun

10. A detective, especially a plainclothes police investigator. *(dated, US)*
   - Simple: A police detective.
   - _A couple of elbows staked out the warehouse all night._
   - _The elbow flashed his badge and started asking questions._

## Origin

From Middle English elbowe, from Old English elboga (elnboga), going back to Proto-Germanic *alinabugô, equivalent to "ell" plus "bow." It is related to Dutch elleboog, German Ellbogen, Danish albue, and Icelandic olbogi.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/elbow (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).