swivel
n.n. a small, sharp hook used in fishing to catch fish like carp. It is also a slang word for a small, sharp knife used by soldiers to cut things like ropes or wire.
n. a small, sharp hook used in carp fishing; also a slang term for a small, sharp knife carried by military personnel. Often used in the phrase 'to swivel' to describe the act of cutting with such a tool.
He used a swivel to catch the carp in the lake.
The soldier kept a swivel in his pocket to cut through the thick vines blocking the path.
While the primary function of the swivel is to secure the line, it is also a vital piece of equipment for any carp angler looking to manage heavy weights and tangled knots.
From Middle English swyvel, swivel, from a derivative of Old English swīfan (“to revolve”), + -el, an instrumental suffix, equivalent to swive + -el.