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Glite Dictionary
Matthew Walker

Matthew Walker

9.9
A stopper knot where you twist several rope strands together to stop a rope from fraying
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : nudo Matthew Walker
  • The sailor secured the end of the rope with a Matthew Walker to stop it from fraying.

Examples

  • Learning to tie a Matthew Walker is essential for traditional rigging work.

  • He tied a Matthew Walker knot to secure the rope.

  • He demonstrated the correct way to make a Matthew Walker knot during the lesson.

  • Have you ever used a Matthew Walker in climbing?

  • During the sailing course, he explained how to properly tie a Matthew Walker knot to ensure the rope would not unravel.

  • The experienced sailor showed us how to tie a Matthew Walker knot as part of our rope handling techniques.

  • To prevent the end of the rope from fraying, she securely fastened it with a Matthew Walker knot.

Synonyms

Matthew Walker knot
vsMatthew Walker
  • Specialized
9.9

A knot tied at the end of a rope to stop the end passing through an opening

is made by intertwining several strands to prevent unraveling
stopper knot
vsMatthew Walker
  • Specialized
5.8

A way of tying the end of a rope to stop it slipping through a hole

is an intertwined multi-strand form used to prevent unraveling rather than just stopping passage
figure of eight
vsMatthew Walker
  • Specialized
5.1

A knot shaped like the number eight used to stop a rope slipping

is made by intertwining strands and prevents unraveling rather than just blocking passage

How Secure

Matthew Walker
  • Specialized
9.9
figure eight
  • Specialized
5.0

Surface Forms

Matthew Walker singular
Matthew Walkers plural

Morphology

Matthew + Walker

The meaning 'a stopper knot' cannot be derived from the literal constituents 'Matthew' and 'Walker', which are proper names with no semantic connection to ropework. This is an eponymic/nonce name for a knot and is therefore arbitrary and unpredictable for a B1 learner who only knows the constituent words.

Etymology

Matthew Walker may come from an old sailor named Matthew Walker who showed a way to weave the loose rope ends into a small, round stopper. The braided knot made from several strands acts like a button to hold the rope together, so the name helps you remember it is used 'to stop unraveling'.