doorknob
UK[ˈdɔː.nɒb]US[ˈdɔːr.nɑːb]
n
a round handle that you turn to open a door
Morpheme Breakdown
door
knob
door
knob
Etymology
the word 'doorknob' is a transparent compound formed from two english words of germanic origin. 'door' descends from old english 'duru', a common germanic term for an entrance barrier, itself from proto-indo-european dʰwer-, denoting a doorway or gate. 'knob' entered english from middle low german 'knobbe', referring to a rounded protuberance, likely of imitative origin related to a knot or bump. the compound logically combines these elements to name the specific rounded handle attached to a door for operating its latch, illustrating a straightforward descriptive naming process in english.
Analysis
Structure: door + knob
door (old english, 'duru/dor', meaning a movable barrier for opening/closing an entrance) + knob (middle low german, 'knobbe', meaning a rounded lump or protuberance)
Examples
she turned the brass doorknob and stepped into the room.
the old doorknob was loose and rattled whenever the door was shut.
he replaced the antique glass doorknob with a modern lever handle.