bowline

American  

[boh-lin, -lahyn] / ˈboʊ lɪn, -ˌlaɪn /

noun

1. Also called bowline knot. a knot used to make a nonslipping loop on the end of a rope.

2. Nautical. a rope made fast to the weather leech of a square sail, for keeping the sail as flat as possible when close-hauled.

---

idioms

1. on a bowline, sailing close-hauled.

2. on an easy bowline, close-hauled with sails well filled.

bowline British  

/ ˈbəʊlɪn /

noun

1. a line for controlling the weather leech of a square sail when a vessel is close-hauled

2. beating close to the wind

3. a knot used for securing a loop that will not slip at the end of a piece of rope

---

Etymology

Origin of bowline

1275–1325; Middle English bouline, equivalent to bou- (perhaps boue bow ² ) + line line ¹

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bowline

Mr. Emerick loosened the stern line and the bowline, then leapt aboard as Mr. Horvath steered into the river.

From New York Times ● Oct. 1, 2021

Instead she is tied at the dock of Port Ship Service, straining at her bowline as a supercharged Mississippi River rushes beneath.

From Slate ● Jun. 18, 2019

The former added bowline knots to knitted dresses, and reworked naval bibs to suitable-for-work shirts.

From The Guardian ● Oct. 5, 2016

Then he would get the Alert’s own tow cable and tie the two together with the knot he suggested: a bowline.

From New York Times ● Dec. 30, 2014

No synthetic yellow bangs suspended over marble-blue eyes, no pinched nose and bowline mouth.

From "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---