knot
UK[nɒt]US[nɑːt]
n
a fastening made by tying a piece of string, rope, etc., into a small, tight lump or loop
n
a hard lump or mass in something, especially in a piece of wood where a branch once joined the tree
n
a unit for measuring the speed of ships and aircraft, equal to one nautical mile per hour
v
to tie a knot in something; to become knotted
Etymology
the word 'knot' originates from the old english 'cnotta', a term shared among germanic languages, such as old high german 'knoto' and middle low german 'knotte'. its ultimate proto-indo-european root is likely knod- or gnod-, meaning 'lump' or 'protuberance', which effectively captures the core physical essence of a knot. this ancient sense directly evolved into the modern meanings, encompassing both the tied fastening and the hard lump in wood. the specialized nautical term for speed, dating from the 17th century, derives from the practice of marking a knotted rope at intervals to measure a ship's velocity through the water.
Analysis
the entire word 'knot' is a simplex unit derived from old english 'cnotta'. it is a germanic root word, not productively composed of smaller, independent morphemes in modern english.
Examples
she tied the two ropes together with a secure knot.
the wood had a beautiful, dark knot that added character to the table.
the ship was traveling at a speed of fifteen knots.