Page 324 - Geoffrey Budworth "The Pocket Guide to Outdoor Knots"

MONOFILAMENT A continuous extruded synthetic filament of uniform
diameter and circular cross-section less than 50 microns (one micron =

0.000001m).

MULTIFILAMENT A cluster of very fine continuously extruded synthetic

filaments of uniform diameter and circular cross-section that are less than 50
microns (one micron = 0.000001m).

NATURAL FIBER Cordage material of vegetable origin.

NIP The point within a knot where friction is concentrated.

NOOSE A free-running, sliding or adjustable loop.

NYLON An artificial material used in the manufacture of cordage and

characterized by its elasticity.

POLYESTER (See Terylene)

POLYETHYLENE An artificial material used in the manufacture of cheap,
hard-wearing and lightweight cordage.

POLYPROPYLENE A versatile artificial material used for a variety of modern

cordage.

ROPE Strictly speaking, cordage over ⅜ in (10 mm) in diameter.

S-LAID Left-handed cordage.

SAFE WORKING LOAD The estimated load—often as little as one fifth (or
less) of the actual breaking strength—a rope may be certified to withstand,

taking into account various weakening factors. (See also Breaking Strength)

SECURITY The essential stability of any knot when subjected to a variable or

intermittent load.

SMALL STUFF An informal and imprecise term for any cordage thinner than a
rope.