knapsack

Meaning

Noun

1. (US) (In UK, dated or archaic). A case of canvas or leather, for carrying items on the back. 1936, Arthur Ransome, Pigeon Post, ch 3. « All but Nancy carried knapsacks, with sandwiches and thermos flasks of tea. Peggy’s knapsack held Nancy’s provisions as well as her own, for on Nancy’s shoulders, instead of a knapsack, was a pigeon-basket... »
2. A set of values from which a subset is chosen.

Verb

To go hiking while burdened with a knapsack, usually overnight or for longer.

Synonyms

rucksack

🎒

backpack

🎒

haversack

packsack

pack

bag

back pack

kit-bag

purse

👛

kit

satchel

backback

bagpack

infantry pack

rusksack

alforja

bloused back

backpack pump

back pack

backpack

🎒

cloth bag

duffel bag

kitbag

kit bag

pouch

👝

sack

shoulder bag

suitcase

wallet

satchel with back straps

Translations

zaino

Rucksack

🎒

mochila

🎒

motxilla

🎒

ransel

Tornister

sac à dos

🎒

rugzak

🎒

knapzak

σακίδιο

mochila

🎒

Ranzen

havresac

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈnæpsæk/

Etymology

Cognate with German: Knappsack

In summary

From Low German knapzak or Dutch knapzak (older form cnapsack), from Middle Dutch cnappen (“to bite with teeth”), ultimately from knappen (“to eat, crack”), of imitative origin, + sack. German Knappsack is from Dutch.