Tight loops or tangles made by tying rope, string, or cord together, or the plural of a unit of speed used for ships.
From Old English 'cnotta,' related to Germanic roots. Originally referred to the physical fastening created by intertwining cord. The nautical speed unit 'knot' derives from the practice of knots tied in a rope thrown from moving ships to measure speed.
Sailors tied knots in a line and counted how many passed overboard in a fixed time—that's literally where the nautical speed measurement comes from! Different knots have been so important throughout history that they each have special names like 'bowline' and 'clove hitch.'
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