gordian knot

Gor·di·an knot

G g

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
- [gawr-dee-uh n not]
- /ˈgɔr di ən nɒt/
- /ˈɡɔː.dɪən nɒt/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [gawr-dee-uh n not]
- /ˈgɔr di ən nɒt/

Definitions of gordian knot words

adjective gordian knot pertaining to Gordius, ancient king of Phrygia, who tied a knot (the Gordian knot) that, according to prophecy, was to be undone only by the person who was to rule Asia, and that was cut, rather than untied, by Alexander the Great. 1
adjective gordian knot resembling the Gordian knot in intricacy. 1
idioms gordian knot cut the Gordian knot, to act quickly and decisively in a difficult situation; solve a problem boldly. 1
noun gordian knot (in Greek legend) a complicated knot, tied by King Gordius of Phrygia, that Alexander the Great cut with a sword 0
noun gordian knot a complicated and intricate problem (esp in the phrase cut the Gordian knot) 0
noun gordian knot a knot tied by King Gordius of Phrygia, which an oracle reveals will be undone only by the future master of Asia: Alexander the Great, failing to untie it, cuts the knot with his sword 0

See all 9 definitions of gordian knot

Information block about the term

Origin of gordian knot

First appearance:

before 1555

One of the 31% oldest English words

1555-65; < Latin Gordi(us) (< Greek Górdios Gordius) + -an

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Gordian knot

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Gordian knot

gordian knot popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 80% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

gordian knot usage trend in Literature

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Synonyms for gordian knot

noun gordian knot

complexity — Complexity is the state of having many different parts connected or related to each other in a complicated way.
complication — A complication is a problem or difficulty that makes a situation harder to deal with.
difficulty — the fact or condition of being difficult.
headache — a pain located in the head, as over the eyes, at the temples, or at the base of the skull.
hot water — trouble; a predicament: His skipping classes will get him into real hot water when exam time comes.

All 43 Synonyms of gordian knot