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Entry 6 senses · 3 variants Webster, 1913

Elbow

/ĕl'-bōˌ/ · El·bow · IPA /ˈɛlboʊ̯/
01 n. The joint or bend of the arm; the outer curve in the middle of the arm when bent.
  1. 1.
    The joint or bend of the arm; the outer curve in the middle of the arm when bent.
    “Her arms to the elbows naked.” — R. of Gloucester.
  2. 2.
    Any turn or bend like that of the elbow, in a wall, building, and the like; a sudden turn in a line of coast or course of a river; also, an angular or jointed part of any structure, as the raised arm of a chair or sofa, or a short pipe fitting, turning at an angle or bent.
  3. 3.
    A sharp angle in any surface of wainscoting or other woodwork; the upright sides which flank any paneled work, as the sides of windows, where the jamb makes an elbow with the window back.(Arch.)
Phrases & compounds
At the elbow — very near; at hand.
Elbow grease — energetic application of force in manual labor.
Elbow in the hawse — the twisting together of two cables by which a vessel rides at anchor, caused by swinging completely round once.
Elbow scissors — scissors bent in the blade or shank for convenience in cutting.
Out at elbow — with coat worn through at the elbows; shabby; in needy circumstances.
02 v. t. To push or hit with the elbow, as when one pushes by another.
imp. & p. p. Elbowed; p. pr. & vb. n. Elbowing
  1. 1.
    To push or hit with the elbow, as when one pushes by another.
    “They [the Dutch] would elbow our own aldermen off the Royal Exchange.” — Macaulay.
Phrases & compounds
To elbow one's way — to force one's way by pushing with the elbows; as, to elbow one's way through a crowd.
03 v. i. To jut into an angle; to project or to bend after the manner of an elbow.
  1. 1.
    To jut into an angle; to project or to bend after the manner of an elbow.
  2. 2.
    To push rudely along; to elbow one's way.