knittlen.
/ˈnɪt(ə)l/ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > building and constructing equipment > fastenings > [noun] > rope, cord, or line > cord or string
string1154
cordc1305
loync1400
knittlea1425
chord1645
clew1660
slip1688
tie-cord1907
a1425 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (Pierpont Morgan) xvii. xcvii Þred to sewynge, ropes to bindynge, and strenges to schetynge, knittels to knittynge [L. Ligamina ad connectendum].
a1450 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (Bodl.) xvii. clxxv Of persche beþ nedefulle bondes and knyttels [1495 knyttynges] made to binde up vines.
2. spec.
a. Nautical. A small line made of yarn, used on board ship. Also attributive.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > ropes or chains other than rigging or cable > [noun] > rope collective or as material > specific types of rope
ratline1358
marline1417
sinnet1611
caburn1626
knittle1627
housing1642
lashing1669
houseline1712
fox1769
sennit1769
hamber-line1793
seizing1804
grass line1828
stropping1850
lanyard1862
small stuff1867
1627 J. Smith Sea Gram. v. 25 Knettels are two rope yarnes twisted together, and a knot at each end, whereunto to sease a blocke, a rope, or the like.
1762 W. Falconer Shipwreck ii. 27 The reef enwrapp'd, th' inserted nittles [1769 inserted knittles] ty'd.
1841 R. H. Dana Seaman's Man. 43 Take two parts of different yarns and twist them up taut into nettles... Lay half the nettles down [etc.].
c1860 H. Stuart Novices or Young Seaman's Catech. (rev. ed.) 30 Cut a nettle about two feet long.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Knittle, see Nettle.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Nettles, small line used for seizings, and for hammock-clues.
1874 F. G. D. Bedford Sailor's Pocket Bk. x. 313 Nettle stuff.
1885 J. Runciman Skippers & Shellbacks 185 If any hammock looked baggy or if the ‘knittles’ were not hauled taut.
b. (See quots.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > closed or shut condition > that which or one who closes or shuts > [noun] > drawstring
drawing cord1645
knittle1847
1847 J. O. Halliwell Dict. Archaic & Provinc. Words I Knittle, a string fastened to the mouth of a sack to tie it with. Sussex.
1875 W. D. Parish Dict. Sussex Dial.
1875 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. II. 1239/1 Knittle..2. a draw~string of a bag.
1881 H. Smith & C. R. Smith Isle of Wight Words
Derivatives
ˈknittling n. (a) the process of joining two ropes by spinning or twisting their loosened ends together; (b) the action or practice of tying yarns in pairs to keep them from entangling.
ΚΠ
1875 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. II. 1523/2.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1901; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.a1425