figure of eight

American  

noun

1. figure eight.

2. a knot resembling the figure 8.

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figure of eight British  

noun

1. an outline of the number 8 traced on ice by a skater

2. a flight manoeuvre by an aircraft outlining a figure 8

3. 1. a knot in the shape of a figure 8 made to prevent the unreeving of a rope

   2. a climber's knot in the shape of a figure 8 made with a doubled rope to provide a secure loop

   3. an angler's knot sometimes used to attach a fly to a leader or dropper

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Etymology

Origin of figure of eight

First recorded in 1595–1605

Example Sentences

It is not huge but that figure of eight, the FA believes, is a record.

From The Guardian

The malleable green wood would then tighten as it dried, giving the shield its strength and forming the rounded rectangles into a slightly “waisted” shape, like a subtle figure of eight.

From The Guardian

This is the only figure of eight track on the circuit, as I’m sure you all well know.

From The Guardian

He has been in fine form all weekend, expressing how much he was enjoying driving the unique challenge of the figure of eight track in the Mie prefecture.

From The Guardian

The Ilyushin takes off from the Russian base at Hmeimim and flies eastwards and then north, before flying southwards and then west - essentially a figure of eight.

From BBC