Meaning
Having matted, knotted dreadlocks — and, as a name, a Rasta who wears them: a 'knotty dread'. From the knots of the locked hair, 'knotty' celebrates the natural, uncombed, African hair of Rastafari, and appears in reggae (Bob Marley's 'Natty Dread'). Closely related to 'natty', it is a term of pride for the locksed head.
Examples
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Di knotty dread chant Jah praise.
The dreadlocked Rasta chants Jah's praises.
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Him hair knotty an long.
His hair is matted (in locks) and long.
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'Natty Dread' a one a Bob Marley tune.
'Natty Dread' is one of Bob Marley's songs.
Origin
From 'knotty' (full of knots), for matted locks; a Rasta with dreadlocks ('knotty dread'). See [[locks]], [[dread]].
How it’s used
Matted/dreadlocked; a locksed Rasta ('knotty dread'). See [[locks]], [[dread]], [[natty]].