arbor: the spindle or shaft at the center of a fishing reel or spool, to which the line is attached
backup: a simple knot (often an overhand) that prevents the main knot from slipping
belay: to anchor a climbing position by means of ropes and fixings
bend: a knot that joins two separate ropes together
bight: a loop formed in rope by folding it back on itself
in the bight: describes a knot tied without using either end of the line
blood knot: a knot with many wrapping turns; it is used especially by anglers and climbers
carabiner: a steel snap-ring with a spring clip or screw gate in one side, used by climbers
cinch: to tighten a knot
cleat: a metal or wooden fitting with two projecting horns or arms, around which rope is fastened
coil: rope that is wound into a neat series of loops or circles, primarily for storage
cordage: a generic term for rope of all sizes and materials
crossing turn: a full circle of rope formed by crossing one part over another
dog: to twist or wind the working end around the standing part
drawloop: a bight or loop created when the working end of the rope is not pulled fully through the knot; it forms a quick-release method of untying the knot
eye: a loop in the end of a line or the opening at the end of a fishing hook through which fishing line is threaded
foundation: a rail, ring, post, spar, or even another rope, around which a line is wrapped and knotted as a form of secure anchorage
frapping turn: an extra turn made to tighten a previous layer of turns
half hitch: a simple knot tied with an end around its own standing part
halyard: a rope that is used to hoist or lower a sail
hawser: a three-stranded rope
heaving line: a light line that is thrown from one person to another; it is often used to pull a heavier rope into place across the intervening distance
hitch: a knot that attaches a line to a ring, rail, or post—or to another line
kernmantel: a rope with a braided sheath enclosing one of several sorts of core yarns
knot: the generic name for rope and cord entanglements; more specifically, anything that is not a bend, a hitch, or is tied in small stuff (such as fishing line)
lanyard: a short length of rope used to fasten or lash an object
lashing: a binding of rope that secures two or more crossed or adjacent poles
lay: the direction (either right- or left-handed) in which the strands of a rope twist
line: a length of rope with a specific function, such as a towline, mooring line, or clothesline
loop: a circle of rope formed by crossing the rope; also a family of knots that may be dropped over an object, threaded through a ring or eye, changed in size, or formed of multiple loops
messenger: a light line used to pull heavier rope into position
monofilament: a single synthetic fiber (the smallest element of man-made rope)
noose: a sliding loop
opposite handedness: where two entwined parts of a rope spiral either clockwise or counterclockwise
overhand: a simple stopper knot, which forms the basis of countless other knots
racking turn: a figure eight forming part of a series to create a continuous lashing or seizing around two adjacent
round turn: one and a half circles formed by rope around an object
security: the ability of a knot to withstand a steady load and either shaking or intermittent tugs, without coming undone
seize: to bind two ropes or parts of a rope together with twine
shortening: a knot that is used to shorten, temporarily, a long piece of rope
sling: a continuous band of rope or tape; also known as a strop
splice: an interwoven plait that is used to bind the end of a rope, to join two lengths, or to make a loop at the end of a rope
standing end: the end of rope, opposite the working end, that is not immediately active in the tying of the knot
stopper: a knot usually made at the end of a rope to prevent it from fraying or to stop it from passing through a hole
strength: the ability of a knot to withstand a load without breaking tag end: the working end of a fishing line, particularly once knotted and trimmed
tape: flat woven webbing, which is used by climbers for making slings
tuck: to pass part of a rope underneath another part
turn: to pass a rope right around an object such as a pole or spar
whipping: a knot that binds the end of a rope to prevent it from fraying
working end: the end of rope, opposite the standing end, that is being used in the tying of the knot
wrapping turn: any one of a series of such turns, characteristic of “blood knots,” which generally strengthen the knot