: 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
Noun (1)
from the summit we could see knots of houses up and down the river valley
felt a small knot on the back of his head
their business partnership is strengthened by the knot of personal friendship knots of people were quietly chatting around the meeting hall
the situation involved so many legal knots that we decided to get a lawyer Verb
He knotted his tie so that both ends would be the same length.
the extension cords were hopelessly knotted together
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Noun
The venture grew out of Jessica’s wedding gift for her brother in 2018 when Justin and Rose tied the knot in Mexico — a custom wine made by family friend Katz, who came up with personalized present.—Erin Clements, People.com, 1 July 2025 Sánchez and Bezos tied the knot on Friday, June 27, in front of 200 guests, with 70 people being family members.—Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2025
Verb
This premise reminds me a bit of George R. Stewart’s Storm, but with a more folkloric spin: a creative way to examine how humanity and nature relate, and how all life is knotted together.—Literary Hub
july 1, Literary Hub, 1 July 2025 In 1981, the battered body of a closeted gay Catholic priest was discovered in the Sage and Sand Motel in Odessa, Texas, his arms knotted behind his back.—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 21 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for knot
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English, from Old English cnotta; akin to Old High German knoto knot
Noun (2)
Middle English knott
First Known Use
Noun (1)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
: 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 (as in a muscle or on the surface of a bone) or process
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