node Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a connecting point at which several lines come together
noun any thickened enlargement
knob; thickening.
noun (botany) the small swelling that is the part of a plant stem from which one or more leaves emerge
leaf node.
noun (physics) the point of minimum displacement in a periodic system
noun (astronomy) a point where an orbit crosses a plane
noun the source of lymph and lymphocytes
lymph gland; lymph node.
noun any bulge or swelling of an anatomical structure or part
noun (computer science) any computer that is hooked up to a computer network
client; guest.

L. nodus; perh. akin to E. knot. Cf. Noose, Nowed.

A knot, a knob; a protuberance; a swelling.
Specifically: (a) (Astron.) One of the two points where the orbit of a planet, or comet, intersects the ecliptic, or the orbit of a satellite intersects the plane of the orbit of its primary. (b) (Bot.) The joint of a stem, or the part where a leaf or several leaves are inserted. (c) (Dialing) A hole in the gnomon of a dial, through which passes the ray of light which marks the hour of the day, the parallels of the sun's declination, his place in the ecliptic, etc. (d) (Geom.) The point at which a curve crosses itself, being a double point of the curve. See Crunode, and Acnode. (e) (Mech.) The point at which the lines of a funicular machine meet from different angular directions; -- called also knot. W. R. Johnson. (f) (poet.) The knot, intrigue, or plot of a piece. (g) (Med.) A hard concretion or incrustation which forms upon bones attacked with rheumatism, gout, or syphilis; sometimes also, a swelling in the neighborhood of a joint. Dunglison. (h) (Mus) One of the fixed points of a sonorous string, when it vibrates by aliquot parts, and produces the harmonic tones; nodal line or point. (i) (Zoöl.) A swelling.