[knot] n [ME, fr. OE cnotta; akin to OHG knoto knot] (bef. 12c) 1 a: an interlacement of the parts of one or more flexible bodies forming a lump or knob b: the lump or knob so formed c: a tight constriction or the sense of constriction "my stomach was all in ~s"
2: something hard to solve: problem "a matter full of legal ~s"
3: a bond of union; esp: the marriage bond
4. a: a protuberant lump or swelling in tissue "a ~ in a gland" b: the base of a woody branch enclosed in the stem from which it arises; also: its section in lumber
5: a cluster of persons or things: group
6: an ornamental bow of ribbon: cockade
7. a: a division of the log's line serving to measure a ship's speed b (1): one nautical mile per hour (2): one nautical mile--not used technically
[2]knot vb knot.ted ; knot.ting vt (1547) 1: to tie in or with a knot: form knots in
2: to unite closely or intricately: entangle
3: tie 4b "knotted the score" ~ vi: to form knots -- knot.ter n [3]knot n, pl knots or knot [ME knott] (15c): either of two sandpipers (Calidris canutus and C. tenuirostris) that breed in the Arctic and winter in temperate or warm parts of the New and Old World