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¹knot

noun \ˈnät\

Definition of KNOT

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>

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

: a bond of union; especially : the marriage bond

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

: a cluster of persons or things : group

: an ornamental bow of ribbon : cockade

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

: 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

: to tie a section of rope, string, fabric, etc., to itself or to something else so that a knot forms : to make a knot in (something); also : to connect (two or more parts or things) with a knot

: to develop a painful or uncomfortable feeling of tightness

: to make (the score of a game or contest) equal

knot·tedknot·ting

Full Definition of KNOT

transitive verb

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

: to unite closely or intricately : entangle

: tie 4b <knotted the score>

intransitive verb

: to form knots

— knot·ter noun

See knot defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of KNOT

1547

Related to KNOT

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

Antonyms: disentangle, unsnarl, untangle, untwine, untwist

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

KNOTS Defined for Kids

¹knot

noun \ˈnät\

Definition of KNOT for Kids

: a section of rope or string that has been tied together to form a lump or knob or to keep something secure

: ²tangle 1 <Comb the knots out of your hair.>

: a painful or uncomfortable area in a body part <I had knots in my stomach.>

: a cluster of persons or things <Down the table, the … ladies drew into a knot, to confer. — Richard Peck, A Year Down Yonder>

: the inner end of a woody branch enclosed in a plant stem or a section of this in sawed lumber

: one nautical mile per hour (about two kilometers per hour)

²knot

verb

knot·tedknot·ting

Definition of KNOT for Kids

: to tie together in a way that cannot be easily untied <I knotted my shoelaces.>

: to become tense or tight <My stomach knotted while I waited for the dentist.>

Medical Dictionary

knot

noun \ˈnät\

Medical Definition of KNOT

: 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

: 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