Knot

(not.) [From Icel. knutr.] (Naut.) On shipboard, a term which denominates a complex placement or arrangement of threads, cords, strands of rope, , made by tying, knitting, or interweaving; of these K. the number in use is multifarious, each having its own distinct designation and its own special use.-Also, one of the divisions of the log-line, which, to avoid the nece ity of calculation, are at such intervals that the number of knots unwound while the gla runs down shows the number of miles sailed per hour. Thus, let it be a half-minute gla , it will run down 120 times in an hour; if, therefore, the K., which are pieces of colored cloth, are fastened at distances each equal to the 120th part of a mile, the number of K. run out will be the number of miles per hour. A nautical mile is the 60th of a degree, or abt. 6,100 ft.; the 120th of this is 51ft.; hence, with ahalf-minute gla , the K. must be 51 ft. apart, and at a proportional distance with any other gla . The first K. is placed abt. 5 fathoms from the leg to allow the latter to get clear of the ship, and that space is called the stray line. See Log. [s. 518]