TERMIUM Plus®
The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.
BOWLINE [10 records]
Record 1 - internal organization data 2025-04-11
Record 1, English
Record 1, Subject field(s)
- Outfitting of Ships
- Maneuvering of Ships
Record 1, Main entry term, English
- head line
1, record 1, English, head%20line
correct, noun, standardized
Record 1, Abbreviations, English
Record 1, Synonyms, English
- bow line 1, record 1, English, bow%20line
correct, noun
- head rope 1, record 1, English, head%20rope
correct, noun
- bow rope 1, record 1, English, bow%20rope
correct, noun
Record 1, Textual support, English
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
A mooring line that is attached to the front end of a vessel and oriented forward. 1, record 1, English, - head%20line
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS
head line: designation and definition standardized by the Marine Terminology Standardization Committee (MTSC). 2, record 1, English, - head%20line
Record 1, Key term(s)
- headline
- bowline
- headrope
- bowrope
Record 1, French
Record 1, Domaine(s)
- Armement et gréement
- Manœuvre des navires
Record 1, Main entry term, French
- pointe avant
1, record 1, French, pointe%20avant
correct, feminine noun, standardized
Record 1, Abbreviations, French
Record 1, Synonyms, French
- amarre de bout avant 1, record 1, French, amarre%20de%20bout%20avant
correct, feminine noun
- amarre longue avant 1, record 1, French, amarre%20longue%20avant
correct, feminine noun
- amarre de proue 1, record 1, French, amarre%20de%20proue
correct, feminine noun
Record 1, Textual support, French
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Amarre qui est attachée à l'extrémité avant d'un bâtiment et qui est orientée vers l'avant. 1, record 1, French, - pointe%20avant
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS
pointe avant : désignation et définition normalisées par le Comité de normalisation de la terminologie maritime (CNTM). 2, record 1, French, - pointe%20avant
Record 1, Spanish
Record 1, Textual support, Spanish
Record 2 - internal organization data 2017-12-04
Record 2, English
Record 2, Subject field(s)
- Outfitting of Ships
- Pleasure Boating and Yachting
- Sea Operations (Military)
Record 2, Main entry term, English
- double bowline
1, record 2, English, double%20bowline
correct
Record 2, Abbreviations, English
Record 2, Synonyms, English
- bowline on a bight 2, record 2, English, bowline%20on%20a%20bight
Record 2, French
Record 2, Domaine(s)
- Armement et gréement
- Yachting et navigation de plaisance
- Opérations en mer (Militaire)
Record 2, Main entry term, French
- nœud de chaise double
1, record 2, French, n%26oelig%3Bud%20de%20chaise%20double
correct, masculine noun
Record 2, Abbreviations, French
Record 2, Synonyms, French
- nœud de calfat 2, record 2, French, n%26oelig%3Bud%20de%20calfat
masculine noun
Record 2, Textual support, French
Record 2, Spanish
Record 2, Textual support, Spanish
Record 3 - internal organization data 2017-12-04
Record 3, English
Record 3, Subject field(s)
- Deck Department (Naval Forces)
Record 3, Main entry term, English
- Spanish bowline 1, record 3, English, Spanish%20bowline
Record 3, Abbreviations, English
Record 3, Synonyms, English
Record 3, Textual support, English
Record 3, French
Record 3, Domaine(s)
- Service du pont (Forces navales)
Record 3, Main entry term, French
- bouline espagnole
1, record 3, French, bouline%20espagnole
masculine noun
Record 3, Abbreviations, French
Record 3, Synonyms, French
- nœud de chaise espagnol 2, record 3, French, n%26oelig%3Bud%20de%20chaise%20espagnol
masculine noun
Record 3, Textual support, French
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Nœud pouvant servir de chaise de calfat ou pouvant aussi servir à suspendre une échelle le long du bord du navire pour faire échafaudage. 1, record 3, French, - bouline%20espagnole
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 OBS
La confection de ce nœud ne ressemble à aucun autre nœud de chaise et on ignore l'origine de son nom. 2, record 3, French, - bouline%20espagnole
Record 3, Spanish
Record 3, Textual support, Spanish
Record 4 - internal organization data 2017-11-30
Record 4, English
Record 4, Subject field(s)
- Outfitting of Ships
Record 4, Main entry term, English
- French bowline
1, record 4, English, French%20bowline
correct
Record 4, Abbreviations, English
Record 4, Synonyms, English
- Portuguese bowline 2, record 4, English, Portuguese%20bowline
correct
Record 4, Textual support, English
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Double bowline, similar to bowline on bight but made on end of rope. 1, record 4, English, - French%20bowline
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 OBS
bight: Loop of rope. 3, record 4, English, - French%20bowline
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 2 OBS
Portuguese bowline [also called French bowline]. 2, record 4, English, - French%20bowline
Record 4, French
Record 4, Domaine(s)
- Armement et gréement
Record 4, Main entry term, French
- nœud de chaise de calfat
1, record 4, French, n%26oelig%3Bud%20de%20chaise%20de%20calfat
correct, masculine noun
Record 4, Abbreviations, French
Record 4, Synonyms, French
- nœud d'agui 2, record 4, French, n%26oelig%3Bud%20d%27agui
correct, masculine noun
Record 4, Textual support, French
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Ne pas confondre avec nœud de chaise double, équivalent de bowline on a bight. 2, record 4, French, - n%26oelig%3Bud%20de%20chaise%20de%20calfat
Record 4, Spanish
Record 4, Textual support, Spanish
Record 5 - internal organization data 2017-11-29
Record 5, English
Record 5, Subject field(s)
- Mountain Sports
Record 5, Main entry term, English
- Bowline on a Bight
1, record 5, English, Bowline%20on%20a%20Bight
correct
Record 5, Abbreviations, English
Record 5, Synonyms, English
- bowline on a bight 2, record 5, English, bowline%20on%20a%20bight
Record 5, Textual support, English
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 DEF
... a bowline that can be tied in the middle of the rope or anywhere along the length of a rope. 1, record 5, English, - Bowline%20on%20a%20Bight
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Bowline on a Bight ... is handy for third parties on a single rope or for a big tie-in loop at multiple anchor belays. 1, record 5, English, - Bowline%20on%20a%20Bight
Record 5, French
Record 5, Domaine(s)
- Sports de montagne
Record 5, Main entry term, French
- nœud de chaise double
1, record 5, French, n%26oelig%3Bud%20de%20chaise%20double
masculine noun
Record 5, Abbreviations, French
Record 5, Synonyms, French
- nœud de chaise double et son double 2, record 5, French, n%26oelig%3Bud%20de%20chaise%20double%20et%20son%20double
masculine noun
Record 5, Textual support, French
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Nœud de chaise effectué avec un cordage double particulièrement utile pour hisser quelqu'un, car il ne risque ni de l'étouffer ni de glisser. 1, record 5, French, - n%26oelig%3Bud%20de%20chaise%20double
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Selon deux alpinistes, le nœud de chaise double se fait dans le milieu de la corde ou tout au long de la corde. 2, record 5, French, - n%26oelig%3Bud%20de%20chaise%20double
Record 5, Spanish
Record 5, Textual support, Spanish
Record 6 - internal organization data 2017-11-01
Record 6, English
Record 6, Subject field(s)
- Ropemaking
Record 6, Main entry term, English
- bowline knot
1, record 6, English, bowline%20knot
correct
Record 6, Abbreviations, English
Record 6, Synonyms, English
- bowline 2, record 6, English, bowline
correct
Record 6, Textual support, English
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 DEF
A knot used primarily in lifting heavy equipment with the catline, since it can be readily tied and untied regardless of the weight of the load on it. 3, record 6, English, - bowline%20knot
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Sailors use this knot to tie their sails up. Once firmly snugged, it will not release to pressure until undone. Many large freighters and other big boats are moored with simple knots like this. The bowline has the added feature that it can be easily be undone when wet. 4, record 6, English, - bowline%20knot
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 2 CONT
Use the bowline on a coil to tie yourself into the end of the rope. If you are an alpine climber who mistakenly ventures into an exposed spot without having first put on your harness, you can quickly safeguard yourself by tying the rope with this knot. 5, record 6, English, - bowline%20knot
Record 6, Key term(s)
- bow-line
- bow-line knot
Record 6, French
Record 6, Domaine(s)
- Corderie
Record 6, Main entry term, French
- nœud de chaise
1, record 6, French, n%26oelig%3Bud%20de%20chaise
correct, masculine noun
Record 6, Abbreviations, French
Record 6, Synonyms, French
- nœud de bouline 2, record 6, French, n%26oelig%3Bud%20de%20bouline
correct, masculine noun
- nœud de chaise simple 3, record 6, French, n%26oelig%3Bud%20de%20chaise%20simple
correct, masculine noun, officially approved
Record 6, Textual support, French
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 OBS
[Le nœud de chaise] sert à former une boucle qui ne peut se desserrer et dans laquelle peut s'asseoir un homme que l'on veut hisser dans la mâture ou affaler le long du bord. 4, record 6, French, - n%26oelig%3Bud%20de%20chaise
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 2 OBS
nœud de chaise simple : terme uniformisé par le Comité de normalisation de la terminologie navale. 5, record 6, French, - n%26oelig%3Bud%20de%20chaise
Record 6, Spanish
Record 6, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Cordelería
Record 6, Main entry term, Spanish
- bolina
1, record 6, Spanish, bolina
feminine noun
Record 6, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 6, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 6, Textual support, Spanish
Record 7 - internal organization data 2017-10-31
Record 7, English
Record 7, Subject field(s)
- Ropemaking
- Outfitting of Ships
Record 7, Main entry term, English
- bowline
1, record 7, English, bowline
correct
Record 7, Abbreviations, English
Record 7, Synonyms, English
Record 7, Textual support, English
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 DEF
A rope passing from about the middle of the perpendicular edge on the weather side of the square sails ... to the larboard or starboard bow, for the purpose of keeping the edge of the sail steady when sailing on a wind. 2, record 7, English, - bowline
Record 7, Key term(s)
- bow line
Record 7, French
Record 7, Domaine(s)
- Corderie
- Armement et gréement
Record 7, Main entry term, French
- bouline
1, record 7, French, bouline
correct, feminine noun
Record 7, Abbreviations, French
Record 7, Synonyms, French
Record 7, Textual support, French
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Manœuvre courante, frappée sur la ralingue de chute avant d'une voile carrée, pour mieux ouvrir celle-ci dans la direction du vent et permettre au voilier de naviguer au plus près. 1, record 7, French, - bouline
Record 7, Spanish
Record 7, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Cordelería
- Equipo y aparejos (Transporte por agua)
Record 7, Main entry term, Spanish
- bolina
1, record 7, Spanish, bolina
correct, feminine noun
Record 7, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 7, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 7, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Cabo con que se hala hacia proa la relinga de barlovento de una vela para que reciba mejor el viento. 2, record 7, Spanish, - bolina
Record 8 - internal organization data 2017-04-28
Record 8, English
Record 8, Subject field(s)
- Deck Department (Naval Forces)
- Commercial Fishing
- Outfitting of Ships
- Ropemaking
Record 8, Main entry term, English
- bowline on a bight
1, record 8, English, bowline%20on%20a%20bight
correct
Record 8, Abbreviations, English
Record 8, Synonyms, English
- bowline on the bight 2, record 8, English, bowline%20on%20the%20bight
correct
- bowline with a bight 3, record 8, English, bowline%20with%20a%20bight
- bowline on a bite 3, record 8, English, bowline%20on%20a%20bite
Record 8, Textual support, English
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 1 CONT
The Bowline on ... a bight ... consists of two parallel rigid loops which may be used individually if desired. The pull on the two ends should be approximately parallel. It is the knot generally used at sea for lowering an injured man from aloft. 4, record 8, English, - bowline%20on%20a%20bight
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 1 OBS
The initial movements to form this knot are as for the bowline ..., except that a bight of the rope is used. 3, record 8, English, - bowline%20on%20a%20bight
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 2 OBS
For making a double loop or sling. Often used for hoisting a man aloft or unloading barrels or other long objects. 3, record 8, English, - bowline%20on%20a%20bight
Record 8, French
Record 8, Domaine(s)
- Service du pont (Forces navales)
- Pêche commerciale
- Armement et gréement
- Corderie
Record 8, Main entry term, French
- nœud de chaise double avec le double
1, record 8, French, n%26oelig%3Bud%20de%20chaise%20double%20avec%20le%20double
correct, masculine noun
Record 8, Abbreviations, French
Record 8, Synonyms, French
- nœud de chaise sur le double 2, record 8, French, n%26oelig%3Bud%20de%20chaise%20sur%20le%20double
see observation, masculine noun
- nœud de chaise double avec son double 3, record 8, French, n%26oelig%3Bud%20de%20chaise%20double%20avec%20son%20double
masculine noun
Record 8, Textual support, French
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Nœud servant à confectionner une chaise de calfat. Il est aussi commode pour former un œil solide au milieu d'un cordage dont les deux extrémités sont amarrées ou indisponibles pour toute autre raison. 4, record 8, French, - n%26oelig%3Bud%20de%20chaise%20double%20avec%20le%20double
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 1 OBS
On donne souvent «nœud de chaise double» comme équivalent à «bowline on a bight». Ce dernier fait partie d'un groupe de nœuds de chaise qui sont doubles comme le nœud de chaise double (double bowline ou french bowline) et le nœud de chaise espagnol. Il serait donc plus juste et plus précis de nommer le bowline on a bight «nœud de chaise sur le double». 3, record 8, French, - n%26oelig%3Bud%20de%20chaise%20double%20avec%20le%20double
Record 8, Key term(s)
- nœud de chaise double
Record 8, Spanish
Record 8, Textual support, Spanish
Record 9 - internal organization data 1994-09-02
Record 9, English
Record 9, Subject field(s)
- Outfitting of Ships
Record 9, Main entry term, English
- running bowline 1, record 9, English, running%20bowline
Record 9, Abbreviations, English
Record 9, Synonyms, English
Record 9, Textual support, English
Record number: 9, Textual support number: 1 CONT
The running bowline is simply a bowline ... around its own standing part, thus forming a noose .... 2, record 9, English, - running%20bowline
Record 9, French
Record 9, Domaine(s)
- Armement et gréement
Record 9, Main entry term, French
- noeud de laguis
1, record 9, French, noeud%20de%20laguis
masculine noun
Record 9, Abbreviations, French
Record 9, Synonyms, French
Record 9, Textual support, French
Record number: 9, Textual support number: 1 OBS
On l'obtient en faisant passer le double d'un filin dans la boucle du noeud de chaise qui le termine. 2, record 9, French, - noeud%20de%20laguis
Record 9, Spanish
Record 9, Textual support, Spanish
Record 10 - internal organization data 1982-03-20
Record 10, English
Record 10, Subject field(s)
- Electrical Engineering
- Electrical Components
Record 10, Main entry term, English
- running bowline 1, record 10, English, running%20bowline
Record 10, Abbreviations, English
Record 10, Synonyms, English
Record 10, French
Record 10, Domaine(s)
- Électrotechnique
- Composants électrotechniques
Record 10, Main entry term, French
- laguis
1, record 10, French, laguis
masculine noun
Record 10, Abbreviations, French
Record 10, Synonyms, French
Record 10, Textual support, French
Record 10, Spanish
Record 10, Textual support, Spanish
Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank
© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2025
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau
Features
Language Portal of Canada

Access a collection of Canadian resources on all aspects of English and French, including quizzes.
Writing tools

The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.
Glossaries and vocabularies

Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.
- Date Modified: