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true lover's knot

true lover's knot

7.9
A knot used to join the ends of two ropes so they stay together
  • noun
translation icon : nudo del verdadero amante
  • She tied a true lover's knot to symbolize unity and everlasting affection.

Examples

  • The sailor secured his ropes with a true lover's knot to ensure they would not come undone.

  • Many people believe that a true lover's knot represents eternal love.

  • In the guide, it says a true lover's knot is ideal for joining two separate cords.

  • The couple exchanged a true lover's knot as a symbol of their commitment.

  • She tied a true lover's knot to symbolize unity and everlasting affection.

  • In the guide, it says a true lover's knot is ideal for joining two separate cords.

  • The sailor secured his ropes with a true lover's knot to ensure they would not come undone.

Synonyms

fisherman's knot
vstrue lover's knot
  • Specialized
1 6.1

A way of tying two fishing lines together so they hold well

is more symbolic and not limited to fishing use
barrel knot
vstrue lover's knot
  • Jargon
1 8.6

A knot people who fish use to join two lines by wrapping the ends together

focuses more on representing a bond than on angling technique
truelove knot
vstrue lover's knot
8.8

A way of joining two ropes used as a symbol of love

is used more generally and not tied to tradition or ceremony
blood knot
vstrue lover's knot
  • Specialized
7.7

A strong knot for joining two fishing lines by wrapping their ends

is similar but emphasizes symbolic bonding rather than strength for fishing
reef knot
vstrue lover's knot
  • Specialized
5.2

A way of tying two rope ends by crossing them left then right to hold bandages or sails

serves more as a symbolic connector rather than a specific tying method
hawser bend
vstrue lover's knot
  • Specialized
9.9

A strong knot for joining the ends of two thick ropes

is used for lighter or symbolic connections rather than heavy duty joining
carrick bend
vstrue lover's knot
  • Specialized
9.9

A strong knot used to join the ends of two large ropes often on ships

applies to lighter, decorative, or symbolic tying rather than heavy nautical use
tye
vstrue lover's knot
  • Archaic
9.9

A knot used to hold things together

is a specific type of binding used as a symbol rather than a general old term

Surface Forms

Morphology

true + lover's + knot

The components 'true' (genuine), 'lover's' (belonging to a lover) and 'knot' (a fastening) compose straightforwardly to indicate a knot associated with lovers or symbolizing a genuine bond. This composition and the symbolic notion of a knot as a bond is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows the parts would very likely infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

True lover's knot also names a real knot used to join the ends of two ropes, where the strands are woven so the knot holds tight and the lines stay together. So sailors and others used it as a sign 'of a strong bond or connection'.