knot

¹knot

noun \ˈnät\

Definition of KNOT

1

a : an interlacement of the parts of one or more flexible bodies forming a lump or knob (as for fastening or tying together)

b : the lump or knob so formed

c : a tight constriction or the sense of constriction <my stomach was all in knots>

2

: something hard to solve : problem <a matter full of legal knots>

3

: a bond of union; especially : the marriage bond

4

a : a protuberant lump or swelling in tissue <a knot in a gland>

b : the base of a woody branch enclosed in the stem from which it arises; also : its section in lumber

5

: a cluster of persons or things : group

6

: an ornamental bow of ribbon : cockade

7

a : a division of the log's line serving to measure a ship's speed

b (1) : one nautical mile per hour (2) : one nautical mile —not used technically

8

: a closed curve in three-dimensional space

Illustration of KNOT

Origin of KNOT

Middle English, from Old English cnotta; akin to Old High German knoto knot

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with KNOT

aught, baht, blot, bot, clot, cot, dot, ghat, grot, hot, jot, khat, kyat, lot, lotte, Mott, motte, naught, not, plot, pot, rot, scot, Scot, shot, skat, slot, snot, sot, spot, squat, stot, swat, swot, tot, trot, watt, Watt, what, wot, yacht

²knot

verb

knot·tedknot·ting

Definition of KNOT

transitive verb

1

: to tie in or with a knot : form knots in

2

: to unite closely or intricately : entangle

3

: tie 4b <knotted the score>

intransitive verb

: to form knots

— knot·ter noun

Examples of KNOT

1. He knotted his tie so that both ends would be the same length.
2. <the extension cords were hopelessly knotted together>

First Known Use of KNOT

1547

Related to KNOT

Synonyms

interlace, intertwine, intertwist, interweave, entangle, snarl, tangle

Antonyms

disentangle, unsnarl, untangle, untwine, untwist

Related Words

jumble, scrabble, scramble; braid, enlace, entwine, entwist, inweave, plait, twine, weave, wind, wreathe, writhe

Near Antonyms

unknot, unravel, unscramble; unweave

³knot

noun

plural knots or knot

Definition of KNOT

: either of two sandpipers (Calidris canutus and C. tenuirostris) that breed in the Arctic and winter in temperate or warm parts of the New and Old World

Origin of KNOT

Middle English knott

First Known Use: 15th century

knot

noun \ˈnät\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of KNOT

1

: an interlacing of the parts of one or more flexible bodies (as threads or sutures) in a lump to prevent their spontaneous separation—see surgeon's knot

2

: a usually firm or hard lump, swelling, or protuberance in or on a part of the body or a bone or process <a knot in a gland> <a bone with two or three knots>—compare surfer's knot

—knot verb, knot·ted; knot·ting

knot

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Examples of common knots.—© Merriam-Webster Inc.

In cording, the interlacement of parts of one or more ropes, cords, or other pliable materials, commonly used to bind objects together. Knots have existed from the time humans first used vines and cordlike fibers to bind stone heads to wood in primitive axes, and were also used in the making of nets and traps. Knot making became sophisticated when it began to be used in the ropes, or rigging, that controlled the sails of early sailing vessels, and thus became the province of sailors. Knots are still depended on by campers and hikers, mountaineers, fishermen, and weavers, among others.