knurl

Meaning

Noun

1. A contorted knot in wood.
2. A crossgrained protuberance; a nodule; a boss or projection.
3. A lined or crossgrained pattern of ridges or indentations rolled or pressed into a part for grip.

Verb

To roll or press a pattern of ridges or indentations into a part for grip.

Synonyms

knot

🪢

nub

knob

node

junction

kink

mill

knurling

rose work

bowline

annular knurl

crenate

grain

hitch

Pronounced as (IPA)

/nɜːl/

Etymology

From knur + -le (“diminutive”), from Middle English knarre (“knot in wood”), earlier sense “a stone”, likely influenced by Old Norse knǫrr.
gnarl is a later variant, from gnarled, via knurled.