knot

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knot1 intertwining of parts of rope, etc. (fig. something intricate) OE.; hard lump XIII; thickened tissue of a plant; cluster or small group XIV. OE. cnotta = Du. knot, MLG. knotte, MHG. knotze knob, knot :- WGmc. *knuttan-; cf. OHG. knodo, knoto (G. knoten), ON. knútr knot, knǫttr ball.
Hence knot vb. XVI. knotted XII.

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