knockdown
UK[ˈnɒkdaʊn]US[ˈnɑːkdaʊn]
adj
(of a price) very low; much lower than usual.
adj
(of a blow or attack) forceful enough to knock someone to the ground.
n
an act of knocking someone down, especially in boxing.
n
a piece of furniture that is sold in parts and assembled by the buyer.
Morpheme Breakdown
knock
down
knock
to strike
down
to a lower position
Etymology
the word 'knockdown' is a transparent compound formed from two old english elements. the verb 'knock', an onomatopoeic term for a sharp blow, combines with the adverb 'down', indicating direction or result. this literal sense of striking someone or something to the ground gave rise to its figurative uses. in commerce, a 'knockdown' price is one that is metaphorically brought low, while in manufacturing, 'knockdown' furniture is designed to be taken apart and laid flat.
Analysis
Structure: knock (to strike) + down (to a lower position)
'knock' is from middle english 'knokken', of old english origin, imitative of a sharp blow. 'down' is from old english 'dūn', meaning 'from a higher to a lower position'.
Examples
they bought the table at a knockdown price.
the fighter was saved by the bell after a brutal knockdown.
the bookcase is supplied in knockdown form for easy transport.