French knot
- noun
- /frɛntʃ nɑt/
- Jargon
:
nudo francés
- The embroidery featured numerous French knots that added a lovely three-dimensional effect.
- make a French knot
Examples
-
She learned how to make a French knot to add texture to her embroidery projects.
-
While I made the drinks, Phyllis piled Rosie's fine yellow hair on top of her head and taught her the difference between a French braid and a French knot.
Fiction book (2000) -
Her hair, shimmering silver, was pulled back in a French knot.
Fiction book (1991) -
With little beady eyes in French knots.
Fiction book (1993) -
At the head of the bed hung dream handkerchiefs that had been embroidered with French knots in colorful designs that convey healing power.
Academic text (1994) -
I had embroidered squares of linen from Mother's trimmings box with pink rosettes and green French knots to make handkerchiefs for Mother, Aunt Vivienne, and Mama.
Fiction book (2002) -
To create a beautiful design, she carefully stitched a series of French knots on the fabric.
How Complex
- Jargon
- Specialized
- Specialized
- Specialized
- Specialized
1
3.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound is compositionally clear in that it names a type of 'knot' modified by 'French', so a learner would infer it's a specific kind of knot; however the precise sense — a small raised embroidery stitch and the winding technique — is a specialized, domain-specific meaning that cannot be derived from the parts alone. Because the phrase is a type-label combining transparent constituents but requires technical knowledge or exposure to yield its full meaning, it is best classified as semi-transparent.
Etymology
French knot may come from old French needlework where people wrapped thread around the needle to push a tiny raised knot into the cloth. Because the stitch makes a small decorative knot, the name French knot came to mean this particular 'stitch' today.