sheepshank

American  

[sheep-shangk] / ˈʃipˌʃæŋk /

noun

1. a kind of knot, hitch, or bend made on a rope to shorten it temporarily.

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sheepshank British  

/ ˈʃiːpˌʃæŋk /

noun

1. a knot consisting of two hitches at the ends of a bight made in a rope to shorten it temporarily

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Etymology

Origin of sheepshank

First recorded in 1635–45; short for sheepshank knot; literal sense unclear

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sheepshank

But worse than that: the conquest of England could tie the entire world diamond industry into a Nazi-controlled sheepshank.

From Time Magazine Archive

Tie four out of the following knots: square or reef, sheet-bend, bowline, fisherman's, sheepshank, halter, clove hitch, timber hitch, or two half hitches.

From Boy Scouts Handbook The First Edition, 1911 by Boy Scouts of America

The chief steward was a friend, the bos'n or quartermaster had shown us the trick of a sheepshank or a reef-knot or a short splice.

From Merchantmen-at-arms : the British merchants' service in the war by Bone, David W. (David William)

The sheepshank knot serves to shorten a rope without cutting it, and may be presently loosened.

From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir

"And tie four of the following knots: Reef, sheet-bend, clove-hitch, bow line, middleman's, fisherman's, sheepshank," finished Rand.

From The Boy Scouts Patrol by Victor, Ralph