Definition of Gordian knot
1
: an intricate problem
especially
: a problem insoluble in its own terms
—often used in the phrase cut the Gordian knot
2
: a knot tied by Gordius, king of Phrygia, held to be capable of being untied only by the future ruler of Asia, and cut by Alexander the Great with his sword
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for Gordian knot
The first known use of Gordian knot was in 1579
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