knot

Universal Words noun, verb noun in string / rope 1 a join made by tying together two pieces or ends of string, rope, etc: to tie a knot * Tie the two ropes together with a secure knot. * Make a knot at the end of the string. * (figurative) hair full of knots and tangles (= twisted in a way that is difficult to comb) * Sailors had to know lots of different knots. of hair 2 a way of twisting hair into a small round shape at the back of the head: She had her hair in a loose knot. in wood 3 a hard round spot in a piece of wood where there was once a branch group of people 4 (written) a small group of people standing close together: Little knots of people had gathered at the entrance. of muscles 5 a tight, hard feeling in the stomach, throat, etc. caused by nerves, anger, etc: My stomach was in knots. * I could feel a knot of fear in my throat. speed of boat / plane 6 a unit for measuring the speed of boats and aircraft; one NAUTICALMILE per hour IDIOMS see RATEn., TIEv. verb (-tt-) tie with knot 1 [VN] to fasten sth with a knot or knots: He carefully knotted his tie. * She wore a scarf loosely knotted around her neck. twist 2 [V] to become twisted into a knot SYNTANGLE 3 [VN] to twist hair into a particular shape: She wore her hair loosely knotted on top of her head. muscles 4 if muscles, etc. knot or sth knots them, they become hard and painful because of fear, excitement, etc: [V] She felt her stomach knot with fear. [also VN] IDIOMS get knotted (BrE, spoken, slang) a rude way of telling sb to go away or of telling them that you are annoyed with them