English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /naɪvɪŋ/^[1]

Verb

kniving

1. present participle of knive

References

1. ↑ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (has the lemma knive)

Etymology 2

Possibly from misunderstanding of the spoken word /k(ə)naɪvɪŋ/ as kniving with a pronounced k, perhaps influenced by its semantic associations with backstabbing and knives.

Adjective

kniving ‎(not comparable)

1. Misconstruction of conniving
   • 2003, Carlton D. Bembry, If I Were a Card: The Things I Would Say, ISBN 0972886303, page 13:

     When your so-called friends try to smear your name with their backstabbing and kniving games, look them straight in their eyes and say, I know who I am.

   • 2011, Tommy Anthony, Somewhere Along the Line, ISBN 1257124722:

     It was enough that Frederich was a kniving back-stabber who was always working with ...

   • 2011, Juan Crazy, Succubus: Book 1 - Seven Hells, ISBN 1426967349, page 361:

     He did not share his Duke's kniving mind, nor lack of morals and he had a good friend aboard one of those boats back across the turbulent sea.

Noun

kniving ‎(uncountable)

1. Misconstruction of conniving
   • 2012, Ian Archer & ‎Trevor Royle, We'll Support You Evermore, ISBN 1780574215:

     What lad seeks to be a cunning politician or avaricious businessman who reaches the peak by stealth and kniving?

   • 2006, Henry Pennier, ‎Keith Thor Carlson, & ‎Kristina Rose Fagan, Call Me Hank, ISBN 0802094260, page 87:

     If I had a Indian in the car and also a sealed bottle of whiskey or a sealed case of beer and a cop stops me on a routine check I would be charged with kniving which has several meanings like the intention of giving him a drink sooner or later.