knotty
UK: ˈnɒti | US: ˈnɑːti
adj. full of knots; tangled or complicated
adj. difficult to solve or understand; intricate
adj. (of wood) having a rough, gnarled surface
The word "knotty" derives from the Old English "cnotta," meaning a tied loop or fastening, combined with the suffix "-y," which forms adjectives indicating a characteristic. Originally describing physical tangles (e.g., in ropes or wood), it later extended metaphorically to describe complex problems or situations. The evolution reflects a logical progression from literal obstruction to abstract difficulty.
The sailor struggled with the knotty rope on the stormy deck.
The professor presented a knotty philosophical problem to the class.
Pine wood is often knotty, making it challenging to carve smoothly.
Legal contracts can be knotty documents for non-experts to decipher.
She enjoys solving knotty puzzles in her free time.