1 knot
Pronounced:
/ˈnɑ:t/
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural knotsMeaning:
[count] 1 a : a part that forms when you tie a piece of rope, string, fabric, etc., to itself or to something else ▪ She tied the rope in a knot. ▪ He made/tied a knot in the rope. ▪ untie a knot ▪ loosen/tighten a knot —see also granny knot, slipknot, square knot b : a part where something has become twisted or wrapped around itself ▪ The electrical cord was tangled in knots. ▪ She tried to untangle the knots [=tangles] in the child's hair. —often used figuratively ▪ The project has been tied up in political and legal knots for years. [=nothing has happened with the project for years because of political and legal problems] —see also gordian knot
2 : a painful or uncomfortable feeling of tightness in part of your body ▪ a knot in a muscle ▪ massaging the knots out of my back ▪ I was so nervous that my stomach was in knots. [=I had an unpleasant and tight feeling in my stomach]
3 : a dark round mark on a piece of wood that shows where a branch grew ▪ a board full of knots
4 : a way of arranging long hair by twisting it into a round shape at the sides or back of the head ▪ She pulled her hair into a knot [=bun] at the back of her neck.
5 : a group of people who are standing or sitting close together ▪ A knot [=cluster] of people blocked the door.
6 : a unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour ▪ Wind is from the north at 12 knots. ▪ sailing at six knots
2 : a painful or uncomfortable feeling of tightness in part of your body ▪ a knot in a muscle ▪ massaging the knots out of my back ▪ I was so nervous that my stomach was in knots. [=I had an unpleasant and tight feeling in my stomach]
3 : a dark round mark on a piece of wood that shows where a branch grew ▪ a board full of knots
4 : a way of arranging long hair by twisting it into a round shape at the sides or back of the head ▪ She pulled her hair into a knot [=bun] at the back of her neck.
5 : a group of people who are standing or sitting close together ▪ A knot [=cluster] of people blocked the door.
6 : a unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour ▪ Wind is from the north at 12 knots. ▪ sailing at six knots
at a rate of knots —see 1rate
tie the knot
informal : to get married ▪ When are you two going to tie the knot?
tie yourself (up) in knots
1 : to cause problems for yourself because you are being too careful, trying too hard, etc. ▪ The mayor tied himself in knots answering a touchy political question. [=he answered it in a confused or unclear way]
2 : to become very upset or worried ▪ I don't know why they're tying themselves in knots over such a trivial problem.
2 : to become very upset or worried ▪ I don't know why they're tying themselves in knots over such a trivial problem.