A knot, a knob; a protuberance; a swelling. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
A special point in a graph or diagram which is attached to other points by links. It is often labeled and represented graphically as a box or circle. A node may represent any object which is related to other objects in a conceptual structure that can be represented as a graph, the relations being represented as links between the nodes. [PJC]
A small mass of tissue differing from other tissue in its immediate vicinity; as, a lymph node. [PJC]

Ascending node (Astron.), the node at which the body is passing northerly, marked with the symbol Dragon's head. Called also northern node. -- Descending node, the node at which the body is moving southwardly, marked thus Dragon's tail. -- Line of nodes, a straight line joining the two nodes of an orbit.

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OXFORD DICTIONARY

node, n.
1 Bot. a the part of a plant stem from which one or more leaves emerge. b a knob on a root or branch.
2 Anat. a natural swelling or bulge in an organ or part of the body.
3 Astron. either of two points at which a planet's orbit intersects the plane of the ecliptic or the celestial equator.
4 Physics a point of minimum disturbance in a standing wave system.
5 Electr. a point of zero current or voltage.
6 Math. a a point at which a curve intersects itself. b a vertex in a graph.
7 a component in a computer network.

Derivative

nodal adj. nodical adj. (in sense 3).

Etymology

L nodus knot

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THESAURUS

node

Gordian knot, amplitude, antinode, block, body, cake, clump, cluster, concrete, concretion, conglomerate, conglomeration, crest, crux, de Broglie wave, diffraction, dilemma, electromagnetic radiation, electromagnetic wave, enigma, frequency, frequency band, frequency spectrum, guided wave, in phase, interference, knot, knotty point, light, longitudinal wave, lump, mass, mechanical wave, nodosity, nodulation, nodule, nodulus, nodus, nonplus, out of phase, oxymoron, paradox, period, periodic wave, perplexity, pons asinorum, poser, puzzle, quandary, radio wave, ray, reinforcement, resonance, resonance frequency, seismic wave, shock wave, solid, solid body, sound wave, surface wave, teaser, tidal wave, transverse wave, trough, vexed question, wave, wave equation, wave motion, wave number, wavelength

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ROGET THESAURUS

node

Convexity

N convexity, prominence, projection, swelling, gibbosity, bilge, bulge, protuberance, protrusion, camber, cahot, thank-ye-ma'am, swell, intumescence, tumour, tumor, tubercle, tuberosity, excrescence, hump, hunch, bunch, boss, embossment, hub, hubble, tooth, knob, elbow, process, apophysis, condyle, bulb, node, nodule, nodosity, tongue, dorsum, bump, clump, sugar loaf, bow, mamelon, molar, belly, corporation, pot belly, gut, withers, back, shoulder, lip, flange, pimple, zit, wen, wheel, papula, pustule, pock, proud flesh, growth, sarcoma, caruncle, corn, wart, pappiloma, furuncle, polypus, fungus, fungosity, exostosis, bleb, blister, blain, boil, airbubble, blob, papule, verruca, papilla, nipple, teat, tit, titty, boob, knocker, pap, breast, dug, mammilla, proboscis, nose, neb, beak, snout, nozzle, schnoz, peg, button, stud, ridge, rib, jutty, trunnion, snag, cupola, dome, arch, balcony, eaves, pilaster, relief, relievo, cameo, bassorilievo, mezzorilevo, altorivievo, low relief, bas relief, high relief, hill, cape, promontory, mull, forehead, foreland, point of land, mole, jetty, hummock, ledge, spur, naze, ness, convex, prominent, protuberant, projecting, bossed, embossed, bossy, nodular, bunchy, clavate, clavated, claviform, hummocky, moutonne, mammiliform, papulous, papilose, hemispheric, bulbous, bowed, arched, bold, bellied, tuberous, tuberculous, tumous, cornute, odontoid, lentiform, lenticular, gibbous, club shaped, hubby, hubbly, knobby, papillose, saddle-shaped, selliform, subclavate, torose, ventricose, verrucose, salient, in relief, raised, repousse, bloated, (expanded).

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