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hawser bend

hawser bend

9.9
A strong knot for joining the ends of two thick ropes
  • noun
  • /ˈhɔːzər bɛnd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : nudo de amarre
  • The sailors used a hawser bend to join the two thick mooring lines together.

Examples

  • Before towing the boat, he secured the ropes with a hawser bend to ensure they would not come apart.

  • Learning to tie a strong hawser bend is essential for working with heavy-duty cables at sea.

  • The sailor tied a hawser bend to secure the boat.

  • Can you show me how to tie a hawser bend?

  • Before towing the boat, he secured the ropes with a hawser bend to ensure they would not come apart.

  • Learning to tie a strong hawser bend is essential for working with heavy-duty cables at sea.

  • The sailors used a hawser bend to join the two thick mooring lines together.

Synonyms

fisherman's knot
vshawser bend
  • Specialized
1 6.1

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

is preferred for joining much heavier or thicker ropes than fishing lines
barrel knot
vshawser bend
  • Jargon
1 8.6

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

uses stronger construction suited to very thick or heavy ropes
sheet bend
vshawser bend
  • Jargon
1 8.4

A knot used to join one rope to another, even when they are different thicknesses

is designed instead specifically for joining the ends of heavy ropes
carrick bend
vshawser bend
  • Specialized
9.9

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

is mainly for very thick or heavy lines rather than lighter ropes
truelove knot
vshawser bend
8.8

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

is used especially when joining very thick or heavy lines
true lover's knot
vshawser bend
7.9

A knot used to join the ends of two ropes so they stay together

serves the same purpose but for thicker, heavier ropes in nautical use
blood knot
vshawser bend
  • Specialized
7.7

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

wraps are similar but it is for thicker, heavier lines rather than leaders
reef knot
vshawser bend
  • Specialized
5.2

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

is less secure and not intended for very thick or heavy lines
becket bend
vshawser bend
  • Specialized
9.9

A knot that ties one rope to the middle of another rope or to a loop

differs by focusing on fastening two rope ends, especially thick lines
weaver's knot
vshawser bend
  • Specialized
8.9

To tie one rope or thread temporarily to the middle of another rope to join them

is for joining ends rather than midline attachments and for thicker lines

How Secure

hawser bend
  • Specialized
9.9
fisherman's knot
  • Specialized
1 6.1
sheet bend
  • Jargon
1 8.4
reef knot
  • Specialized
5.2

Surface Forms

hawser bend singular
hawser bends plural

Morphology

hawser + bend

Although 'hawser' (a heavy rope) and 'bend' (commonly 'a curve') are individually understandable, the term uses a specialized nautical sense of 'bend' meaning 'a knot for joining ropes'. A B1 learner who only knows the ordinary sense of 'bend' would not predict the technical meaning 'knot used to join two ropes', so the expression is not transparently compositional.

Etymology

Hawser bend comes from two simple images: hawser, a very thick rope, and bend, a sailor's word for a knot that 'joins' ropes. That's why Hawser bend means a strong knot used to 'join' two heavy ropes.