A compact intersection of interlaced material, such as cord, ribbon, or rope.
A fastening made by tying together lengths of material, such as rope, in a prescribed way.
A hard place or lump, especially on a tree, at a point from which a stem or branch grows.
The round, often darker cross section of such a lump as it appears on a piece of cut lumber. Also called node.
Nautical A division on a log line used to measure the speed of a ship.
Abbr. kn. or kt. A unit of speed, one nautical mile per hour, approximately 1.85 kilometers (1.15 statute miles) per hour.
A distance of one nautical mile.
A decorative bow of ribbon, fabric, or braid.
A unifying bond, especially a marriage bond.
A tight cluster of persons or things: a knot of onlookers.
A feeling of tightness: a knot of fear in my stomach.
A complex problem.
A hard place or lump, especially on a tree, at a point from which a stem or branch grows.
The round, often darker cross section of such a lump as it appears on a piece of cut lumber. Also called node.
Nautical A division on a log line used to measure the speed of a ship.
Abbr. kn. or kt. A unit of speed, one nautical mile per hour, approximately 1.85 kilometers (1.15 statute miles) per hour.
A distance of one nautical mile.
A protuberant growth or swelling in a tissue: a knot in a gland.
Nautical A division on a log line used to measure the speed of a ship.
Abbr. kn. or kt. A unit of speed, one nautical mile per hour, approximately 1.85 kilometers (1.15 statute miles) per hour.
A distance of one nautical mile.
v.
knot·ted, knot·ting, knots
v.
tr.
To tie in or fasten with a knot or knots.
To snarl or entangle.
To cause to form a knot or knots.
v.
intr.
To form a knot or knots.
To become snarled or entangled.
[Middle English, from Old English cnotta.]
Usage Note: In nautical usage knot is a unit of speed, not of distance, and has a built-in meaning of "per hour." Therefore, a ship would strictly be said to travel at ten knots (not ten knots per hour).
(nŏt) 
