water knot en · NOUN
Etymology
Uncertain, apparently water + knot. Attested from at least the 18th century.
Meanings
-
A type of bend knot used to join the ends of lines or flat material such as tubular webbing.
To tie a water-knot, lay the end of one of your hairs about five inches or less, over that of the other, and through the loop, which you would make to time them in a common way, pass the long and short end of the hairs, which will lie to the right of the loop, twice, and wetting the knot with your tongue, draw it close, and cut off the spare hair.
1775 [1653], Izaak Walton, edited by John Hawkins, The Complete Angler, compilation of Walton’s original and Charles Cotton’s second part of The Compleat Angler, page 255:
- Synonym of fisherman's knot.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| water knots | Number=Plur | lexicographic |