Definition of knot

• n. - A fastening together of the pars or ends of one or more threads, cords, ropes, etc., by any one of various ways of tying or entangling.
• n. - A lump or loop formed in a thread, cord, rope. etc., as at the end, by tying or interweaving it upon itself.
• n. - An ornamental tie, as of a ribbon.
• n. - A bond of union; a connection; a tie.
• n. - Something not easily solved; an intricacy; a difficulty; a perplexity; a problem.
• n. - A figure the lines of which are interlaced or intricately interwoven, as in embroidery, gardening, etc.
• n. - A cluster of persons or things; a collection; a group; a hand; a clique; as, a knot of politicians.
• n. - A portion of a branch of a tree that forms a mass of woody fiber running at an angle with the grain of the main stock and making a hard place in the timber. A loose knot is generally the remains of a dead branch of a tree covered by later woody growth.
• n. - A knob, lump, swelling, or protuberance.
• n. - A protuberant joint in a plant.
• n. - The point on which the action of a story depends; the gist of a matter.
• n. - See Node.
• n. - A division of the log line, serving to measure the rate of the vessel's motion. Each knot on the line bears the same proportion to a mile that thirty seconds do to an hour. The number of knots which run off from the reel in half a minute, therefore, shows the number of miles the vessel sails in an hour.
• n. - A nautical mile, or 6080.27 feet; as, when a ship goes eight miles an hour, her speed is said to be eight knots.
• n. - A kind of epaulet. See Shoulder knot.
• n. - A sandpiper (Tringa canutus), found in the northern parts of all the continents, in summer. It is grayish or ashy above, with the rump and upper tail coverts white, barred with dusky. The lower parts are pale brown, with the flanks and under tail coverts white. When fat it is prized by epicures. Called also dunne.
• v. t. - To tie in or with, or form into, a knot or knots; to form a knot on, as a rope; to entangle.
• v. t. - To unite closely; to knit together.
• v. t. - To entangle or perplex; to puzzle.
• v. i. - To form knots or joints, as in a cord, a plant, etc.; to become entangled.
• v. i. - To knit knots for fringe or trimming.
• v. i. - To copulate; -- said of toads.