bowline
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bow·line
(bō′lĭn, -līn′)n.
1. Nautical A rope attached to the weather leech of a square sail to hold the leech forward when sailing close-hauled.
2. A knot forming a loop that does not slip but that can be untied easily.
[Middle English bouline, probably from Middle Danish bovline or Middle Low German bōlīne, both from Middle Low German bōch līne : bōch, bow; see bheug- in Indo-European roots + līne, line (from Latin līnea; see line1).]
bowline
(ˈbəʊlɪn)n
1. (Nautical Terms) a line for controlling the weather leech of a square sail when a vessel is close-hauled
2. (Nautical Terms) on a bowline beating close to the wind
3. (Knots) a knot used for securing a loop that will not slip at the end of a piece of rope
[C14: probably from Middle Low German bōlīne, equivalent to bow3 + line1]
bow•line
(ˈboʊ lɪn, -ˌlaɪn)n.
1. Also called bow′line knot`. a knot used to make a nonslipping loop on the end of a rope.
2. a rope fastened to the leech of a square sail to keep the sail as flat as possible when sailing close-hauled.
[1275–1325; Middle English bouline]
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| Noun | 1. |  bowline - a loop knot that neither slips nor jamsloop knot - any of various knots used to make a fixed loop in a rope |