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  • half hitch
    half hitch
    noun
    a knot or hitch made by forming a bight and passing the end of the rope around the standing part and through the bight.
  • half-hitch
    half-hitch
    noun
    a knot made by passing the end of a piece of rope around itself and through the loop thus made

half hitch

American  

noun

  1. a knot or hitch made by forming a bight and passing the end of the rope around the standing part and through the bight.


half-hitch British  

noun

  1. a knot made by passing the end of a piece of rope around itself and through the loop thus made

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of half hitch

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Given all this, I tried to make sense of the electronic shoreline with Anhinga, our 37-foot Bertram, rolling in a beam sea as the Whaler attempted to slip a half hitch around her wheels.

From Time Magazine Archive

Moreover, there was reason to suppose that all four had been bound by the same person: in all four instances the same type of knot, a half hitch, was used.

From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote

And, as I'm all ready except another half hitch to my white tie, I'm elected.

From Torchy, Private Sec. by Lincoln, F. Foster

It seems he didn't half hitch Prince, who got oneasy like, and started for home.

From Tempest and Sunshine by Holmes, Mary Jane

Square the two nettles and take a half hitch with each.

From The Battleship Boys at Sea Two Apprentices in Uncle Sam's Navy by Patchin, Frank Gee

When securing these lines, use a full wrap around the base of the cleat, at least one figure eight and a half-hitch cinched tight.

From Time Magazine Archive

I belayed the rope to the second cleat and set a half-hitch on the turns.

From The Uttermost Farthing A Savant's Vendetta by Freeman, R. Austin (Richard Austin)

"For God's sake, get a half-hitch on the saplin'!" called the cowboy.

From The Last of the Plainsmen by Grey, Zane

He twisted sidewise in the saddle, took a half-hitch with the reins around the saddle-horn, and proceeded to manufacture a cigarette while he went on with the burlesque.

From The Ranch at the Wolverine by Bower, B. M.

"Better keep a half-hitch on the colt," remarked Bud.

From The Young Forester by Grey, Zane

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