Definition of bowline
1 : a rope used to keep the weather edge of a square sail taut forward
2 : a knot used to form a loop that neither slips nor jams — see knot illustration
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Recent Examples of bowline from the Web
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Knots are useful in everyday life and specific kinds of knots are suitable for specific tasks — bowlines, cleats, hitches and nooses all hold things together in different ways.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bowline.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of bowline
Middle English boweline, probably from bowe bow + line
BOWLINE Defined for Kids
bowline
playDefinition of bowline for Students
: a knot used for making a loop that will not slip
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See words that rhyme with bowline Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bowline
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