kötésenként

"Kötésenként" is a Hungarian term that translates to "by knot" or "per knot" in English, commonly used in the context of maritime navigation and sailing. The term refers to a method of measuring distance or speed based on the movement of a ship relative to its knots, which are tied in a line (often called a "logline") trailing behind the vessel.

In traditional sailing, a chip log was used to measure speed. The logline was attached to a wooden board called a log, which was thrown overboard. As the ship moved forward, the line unspooled, and knots were tied at regular intervals along it. The number of knots that passed through a fixed point (like a knotted string held in the hand) over a set period—typically 30 seconds—was counted. Each full sequence of knots passing through the hand indicated a speed of one nautical mile per hour, hence the term "knot" for speed measurement.

The concept of "kötésenként" can also appear in discussions about knot spacing or intervals in various contexts, such as fishing lines, ropes, or even decorative patterns where knots are intentionally spaced at regular intervals. In modern navigation, electronic devices like log recorders and GPS systems have largely replaced traditional knot-based measurement, but the term persists in historical and educational discussions about sailing techniques.

The phrase is rarely used outside of Hungarian maritime or nautical terminology, reflecting its specialized nature. For sailors and historians, understanding "kötésenként" provides insight into the practical methods of early navigation and the evolution of speed measurement at sea.