edit (2/18/2010): The ideas below are out-of-date. The new proposed terms are listed and defined in the Nodeology wiki at http://nodeology.pbworks.com/Bindings-Terms.Attempting to compile all of the ideas so far...
Nodology -- The field and study of bindings made in cordage.
N.Cordage -- Any material capable of being manipulated into N.Bindings. Includes rope, chain, cable, cord, string, thread, braid, plait, wool, leather thong, ribbon, and so on.
N.Binding -- The result of manipulating cordage components into shapes that are capable of translating forces from one part to another. Includes knots, splices, whippings, and so on.
N.B.Splice -- Creating a force transferring connection by knotting the cordage and/or sub parts of the cordage on and through itself.
N.B.Whipping -- Effecting the transfer of force by wrapping a smaller diameter cord tightly around the outside of the cordage being bound.
N.B.Stitching -- N.B.Whipping but involving both the inside and the outside of the cordage being bound.
N.B.Weaving -- Creating sheets of flexible fabric by interweaving or plaiting numerous strands of cordage.
N.B.Netting -- Creating sheets of widely spaced cords by knotting strands of cordage.
N.B.Knot -- Creating a force transferring connection by creating 3 dimensional contact structures on the surface of the cord only.
Parts of an N.B.Knot (see the reasoning for these terms in an earlier post):
N.B.K.Tail_End -- The end of the N.Cordage which is used in tying an N.B.Knot. Traditionally referred to as the Working End, Bitter End, or Running End.
N.B.K.Exit_Part -- The part of the N.Cordage which exits the N.B.Knot and ends at the N.B.K.Tail_End.
N.B.K.Entry_Part -- The part of the N.Cordage which enters the N.B.Knot at the opposite end from the N.B.K.Exit_Part ("opposite" in the sense that one part of a rope enters into a knot, and another part of the rope exits from the knot). Traditionally referred to as the Standing Part.
N.B.K.Loop -- The oval-shaped length of N.Cordage which remains after certain N.B.Knots are tied (e.g. Bowlines). Useful for throwing over a post, or for clipping onto with an attachment such as a carabiner, and so on. Traditionally referred to as a Loop or an Eye.
N.B.K.Doubled_End -- When a length of N.Cordage is folded over ("doubled") so that a new "end" is created, this is an N.B.K.Doubled_End. Traditionally referred to as a Bight.
N.B.K.Turn(amount of turn, object included, double end formed) -- Taking a length of N.Cordage around an object (or simply around the air). "Amount of turn" specifies how many times around, in half-revolutions (e.g. 1hR). "Object included" specifies whether or not the N.Cordage goes around an object. Valid values are: " " (anything), "0" (nothing), "s" (self), or "f" (fixture, i.e. an anchor or other solid object). "Double end formed" specifies whether or not an N.B.K.Doubled_End is formed. N.B.K.Turn(1, 0, 1) is traditionally referred to as a Bight. N.B.K.Turn(1, , 0) is traditionally referred to as a Loop.
N.B.K.Revolution(number, crossing) -- Alternative idea for N.B.K.Turn. Taking a length of N.Cordage around an object (or simply around the air). "Number" specifies how many times around. "Crossing" specifies whether the N.Cordage crosses over or under itself. Valid values are: "Cross_Over" or "Cross_Under" or "None." When tied in the air, N.B.K.Revolution(0.5, None) is traditionally referred to as a Bight. When tied in the air, N.B.K.Revolution(1, Cross_Under) is traditionally referred to as an Underhand Loop. When tied around an object, N.B.K.Revolution(1.5, None) is traditionally referred to as a Round Turn.
Types of N.B.Knots:
N.B.K.Join_Knot -- An N.B.Knot which is used for tying two or more N.B.K.Tail_Ends together (whether from the same N.Cordage or from different N.Cordages). Traditionally referred to as a Bend.
N.B.K.Loop_Knot(optional number of loops) -- An N.B.Knot which results in one or more N.B.K.Loops. If two N.B.K.Loops are formed (e.g. the Spanish Bowline) then the N.B.Knot is an N.B.K.Loop_Knot(2), and so on.
N.B.K.Tether_Knot -- An N.B.Knot which is used for tying a length of N.Cordage around an object and which conforms to the shape of the object. "Tether" means "To fasten to a fixed object." Traditionally referred to as a Hitch. An animal can be tethered to a post using a Bowline, for example, but the Bowline would still be referred to as an N.B.K.Loop_Knot because it doesn't conform to the shape of the post.
N.B.K.Hitch_Knot -- An alternative idea for N.B.K.Tether_Knot.
Looking over this list, "N.B.K." seems a bit cumbersome. Perhaps all of the above terms should simply be prefixed with "N." to indicate that they are Nodology terms?
As Derek pointed out, this is a start for a new and clearer and unambiguous set of knotting terms. So how do these terms (and their definitions) sound so far? What improvements can be made?
Some more terms which have been used in this forum, to perhaps incorporate into Nodology somehow:
sling
collar
nub
nip
lead
capsize
jam
slipped
noose (i.e. an Overhand slip knot but loaded the opposite way)
half hitch
lashing
"front view" and "back view" of a knot (I don't know if it's possible to come up with a useful definition of these two terms)
Dave
edit (2/18/2010): The ideas above are out-of-date. The new proposed terms are listed and defined in the Nodeology wiki at http://nodeology.pbworks.com/Bindings-Terms.