amarre

Amarre is a term used in Spanish and Portuguese with several related meanings. It derives from the verb amarrar in both languages, meaning to fasten, tie, or secure. As a noun, amarre can refer to a tether or mooring line used to secure a vessel, and more generally to the act of mooring or tying an object to a fixed point.

In nautical contexts, an amarre is a mooring, a place where a ship is tied to a dock, harbor, or buoy. The word is commonly heard in discussions of port facilities, docking procedures, and maritime operations, where proper mooring is essential for safety and stability.

Beyond its technical sense, amarre also appears in cultural and popular usage. In many Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking regions, particularly in Brazil and parts of the Caribbean, amarre or amarração de amor refers to a type of ritual or practice aimed at influencing the feelings or actions of another person. These traditions are part of folk magic or spiritual practices and vary widely in belief, method, and interpretation. They are controversial and not supported by scientific evidence; they are not part of mainstream religious doctrine and may be viewed critically by communities.

The term also carries broader figurative uses, describing any binding or attachment—emotional, contractual, or physical. Across languages, amarre thus spans nautical, everyday, and spiritual contexts, reflecting the common idea of fastening or binding something to another point or person.