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Glite Dictionary
stopper knot

stopper knot

5.8
A way of tying the end of a rope to stop it slipping through a hole
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : nudo de tope
  • To secure the sail, he added a stopper knot to the end of the rope.

Examples

  • The climber used a stopper knot to prevent his rope from slipping through the carabiner.

  • I used a double overhand stopper knot.

    Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse (2015)

  • Before dangling the rope into the well, she tied a stopper knot to ensure it wouldn't fall through.

Synonyms

Matthew Walker knot
vsstopper knot
  • Specialized
9.9

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

is a general term used across contexts, not only nautical
figure of eight
vsstopper knot
  • Specialized
5.1

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

focuses on a specific eight shape rather than the general end knot function
figure eight
vsstopper knot
  • Specialized
5.0

A knot tied near the rope end that stops it slipping through a hole and looks like the number eight

is the broad term for any knot tied at an end to prevent slipping
Matthew Walker
vsstopper knot
  • Specialized
9.9

A stopper knot where you twist several rope strands together to stop a rope from fraying

focuses on preventing passage through openings rather than stopping unraveling

Antonyms

slipknot
3 5.5

A knot you can easily undo by pulling one end

How Secure

figure eight
  • Specialized
5.0
stopper knot
  • Specialized
5.8

Surface Forms

stopper knot singular
stopper knots plural

Morphology

stopper + knot

The meaning is directly compositional: 'stopper' (something that blocks or seals) combined with 'knot' (a fastening) yields a knot that blocks passage. This literal naming pattern is common and predictable (including cross-linguistically and in basic nautical contexts), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

The noun stopper knot comes from a simple, physical image: a knot tied at the end of a rope that acts like a stopper or plug to keep the rope from passing through a hole. So, the name means 'to stop a rope from slipping through an opening'.