knot
UK: nɒt | US: nɑːt
n. 1. a fastening made by looping and tying a piece of rope, string, or other material
n. 2. a tangled or complicated mass
n. 3. a unit of speed used in navigation, equal to one nautical mile per hour
vt. to tie or fasten with a knot
The word "knot" traces back to Old English cnotta, meaning a fastening or tie. It shares roots with Old High German knoto and Old Norse knútr, all referring to a tied loop. The term has retained its core meaning of a physical binding but expanded metaphorically to describe complexity (e.g., "a knotty problem") and adopted specialized uses like the nautical speed unit. Its simplicity and Germanic origins make it monomorphic—no further segmentation is etymologically justified.
She tied a knot in the rope to secure the boat.
His stomach was in knots before the interview.
The ship was traveling at 15 knots.
The thread was so tangled it formed a tight knot.
He knotted his scarf loosely around his neck.