Glossary

A very short guide to knotting terminology used on these pages.

This is not an exhaustive list of knotting terms, it just contains some of the more unfamiliar words that we have used.

If you wish to research the subject further, any good book on knots should have a knotting glossary.

• Knot. Strictly speaking, a knot is tied in the end of a line as a stopper, such as the Thumb knot or Figure of eight knot.
• Stopper knots are used to stop the end of a rope fraying, or to stop it running through a small hole or constriction.
• Bend. A bend is used to tie two ropes together, as in the Sheet bend. Technically, even the Square knot is a bend.
• Hitch. A hitch is used to tie a rope to a spar, ring or post, such as the Clove hitch. Hitches can also be used to tie one rope ONTO another rope, as in the Rolling hitch.
• Running End - the end of the rope that is being used to tie the knot.
• Standing End - the static end of the rope.
• Bight can have two meanings:
  -- The main part of the rope from the running end to the standing end
  -- Where the rope is bent back to form a loop.
• Jam - when the knot tightens under tension and you cannot get it undone!

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