EnglishMain Dictionary
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