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ropen.1 Origin: A word inherited from Germanic. Etymology: Cognate with Old Frisian rāp (in silrāp kind of rope; West Frisian reap , East Frisian (Saterland) rōp ), Middle Dutch reep (Dutch reep ), Old Saxon rēp (Middle Low German rēp , reep , reip , German regional (Low German) Reep ; > German Reep nautical rope (18th cent.)), Old High German reif (Middle High German reif , German Reif , now only in senses ‘circlet, hoop’), Old Icelandic reip , Old Swedish rep (Swedish rep ), early modern Danish rep (Danish reb ), Gothic -raip (in skaudaraip shoe-thong), further etymology uncertain and disputed: perhaps < an ablaut variant (o -grade) of the same Germanic base as reap v.1 (compare ripple n.1), perhaps with original sense ‘long narrow strip that has been cut’. Compare Finnish raippa whip (compare raipata to whip), probably borrowed at an early stage < the Germanic base of this word.Compare post-classical Latin reipus , reippus (c490 in the Lex Salica, only in a transferred sense; apparently < an unattested Frankish form), repa (1163 in a source from Flanders; < an unattested Old Dutch form (compare Middle Dutch reep )), ropa (from 1292 in British sources; < Middle English). Compare Anglo-Norman rap (early 12th cent. or earlier, rare; < late Old English) and rope (c1365 or earlier; < Middle English). The stem vowel e of the late Middle English form repe at α. forms (as well as the 18th-cent. Kentish form rep) perhaps represents the reflex of rare Old English rǣpe rope (only in æfter-rǣpe crupper; a parallel formation (with i-mutation) < the same Germanic base as rope n.1) or alternatively may show the influence of Middle Dutch reep. (Other (northern and Scots) forms with e show regular developments of Old English ā ; the late Old English (Kentish) form ræp is a representation of rāp .) With sense 2a compare rape n.1 In sense 4c after Biwat geun rope, twine (for fishing nets), also used to denote descent. Compare also Tok Pisin rop in the same senses ( < English rope n.1, after the same Biwat word). With sense 6 compare earlier ropiness n., ropishness n. I. A stout cord, and related uses. 1. society > occupation and work > equipment > building and constructing equipment > fastenings > [noun] > rope, cord, or line society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > mountaineering or climbing > [noun] > artificial aid > types of society > occupation and work > equipment > tool > types of tools generally > [noun] > rope, string, cord, etc. α. eOE King Ælfred tr. Boethius (Otho) (2009) I. vii. 408 N[e mæg hit] [sc. god word] [mon mid sweorde o]fslean ne mid rape gebindan. OE Ælfric (Julius) (1881) I. 216 Þa cnitton hi rapas mid reðum anginne hire to handum and fotum, and fela samod tugon. lOE (Corpus Cambr.) (1997) 89 Þærrihtes he ongan heom to helpane on rapum [L. in rudentibus] & on mæstum & on þan oðrum sciptauum. ?a1160 (Laud) (Peterborough contin.) anno 1140 Þe king..besæt hire in þe tur, & me læt hire dun on niht of þe tur mid rapes. a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris (1868) 1st Ser. 47 (MED) Me nom rapes and caste in to him fro to draȝen hine ut of þisse putte. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1963) 552 Heo rihten heora rapes [c1300 ropis], heo rærden heora mastes. 1379–80 in J. T. Fowler (1888) III. 101 (MED) In ij cordis pro les raypes, 3 s. 2 d. c1450 (?a1400) (Ashm.) 1520 He..sammes þaim on aithire side with silken rapis. 1488 (c1478) Hary (Adv.) (1968–9) vii. l. 201 A bauk was knyt all full of rapys keyne. 1489 (a1380) J. Barbour (Adv.) iii. 691 Ankyrs rapys baith saile and ar, And all that nedyt to schipfar. ?1507 W. Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen (Rouen) in (1998) I. 49 I wald haif riddin him to Rome with raip [a1586 ane raip] in his heid. 1536 in J. Imrie et al. (1960) 174 Thir..persones..to red be cord and raip the half tenement of Villiam Flecher. a1585 A. Montgomerie Flyting with Polwart (Tullibardine) in (2000) I. 150 Thir ladyis licht fra thir hors And band thame with raipis. c1626 H. Bisset (1922) II. 244 Gif the takillis raipis or uthir geir brek [etc.]. 1718 A. Ramsay iii. 27 His young Wife..sneg'd the Raips..Wi'er Knife that Day. 1786 R. Burns 67 Wae worth that man wha first did shape, That vile, wanchancie thing—a raep! 1820 W. Scott III. ii. 59 If there ‘were a man left in the south that could draw a whinger, or a woman that could thraw a rape.’ 1896 3 Oct. 353/1 All is secured in the cornyard under ‘thack and raip’. 1947 ‘H. MacDiarmid’ (1993) I. 725 I've dipped a raip owre and sprinkled oor deck Wi' the sparklin' saut draps for luck's sake. OE Ælfric (Royal) (1997) xiv. 291 Anra gehwylc manna is gewriðen mid rapum his synna [L. funibus peccatorum suorum]. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 15818 Þeȝȝ wrohhtenn rap þurrh sinnfull lif. To draȝhenn hemm till helle. a1225 (c1200) (1888) 45 (MED) Hie stieð up to heuene..for us te warnin þat ure ropes ne to-breken, ðe bieð ibroiden mid þrie strænges, of rihte ileaue and of faste hope te gode and of ðare soðe luue ðe is ihoten carite. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) 21920 (MED) We mai noght scape, Ded sal rug us til his rape. c1400 (?a1300) (Laud) (1952) 6288 (MED) Now þe kyng haþ al þis in his rope, He shipped swiþe in to Ethiope. R. Misyn tr. R. Rolle 107 (MED) Abundance of Riches, flaterynge of wymmen, ffayrnes or bewte of ȝouthe: þis is þe threfold rope þat vnnethis may be brokyn. 1578 J. Rolland 88 Gif ȝe may not eschaip, Than ar we baith but dout tane in the raip. 1624 W. Bedell xi. 156 I haue met with sundry that pull this roape as strongly the other way. 1771 J. Beattie lviii. 30 The sophist's rope of cobweb he shall twine. 1876 23 Aug. 6/1 The first [scene] (the Walkyrie rock) exhibits the three Norns spinning for the last time the golden rope of Fate. a1919 E. W. Wilcox (1920) 71 Love is a rope of gold braided with many strands, and needing a lifetime for the making. 1996 A. R. Ammons 194 What braidings and upbraidings of the rope of the self. society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > other manufactured or derived materials > [noun] > rope or cord 1548 in (1890) II. 177 Six coyle of rope for wollers. a1626 W. Rowley (1632) i. 7 Let him seare up his arme, and scarfe it up With two yards of rope. 1704 J. Harris I Garland in a Ship is that Collar of Rope which is wound about the Head of the Mainmast to keep the Shrowds from galling. 1769 W. Falconer at Rope-bands Certain pieces of small rope, or braided cordage. 1783 W. Marsden 76 The cannabis or hemp..is cultivated in quantities, not for the purpose of making rope,..but for smoking. 1839 A. Ure 1076 Two, three, or more strands of shroud or hawser-laid rope. 1876 G. E. Voyle & G. de Saint-Clair-Stevenson (ed. 3) 352/1 The strength of Manilla rope is less than that of hemp rope. 1912 J. London viii. 285 Loose ends of rope stood out stiffly horizontal. 2007 Mar. 32/1 The fertile intervale fields along the river were perfect for crops of hemp used in making rope for tall schooners. 2. In various special uses. the world > relative properties > measurement > measurement of length > [noun] > units of length or distance > unit of length in walling or hedging eOE (1890) 25/2 Bolides, sundgerd in scipe uel metrap. eOE (Mercian) (1965) lxxvii. 55 Sorte diuisit eis terram in funiculo distributionis : hlete todaelde him eordan in rape todales. OE King Ælfred tr. (Paris) (2001) xv. 6 Þu gedydest þæt we mætan ure land mid rapum, and min hlyt gefeoll ofer þæt betste. a1400 Psalter (Vesp.) lxxvii. 60 in C. Horstmann (1896) II. 212 (MED) With lote he delt am land In a rape [a1400 Harl. strenge] ofe to-delegiueand [L. in funiculo distributionis]. a1425 (c1395) (Royal) (1850) Jer. lii. 21 A roop [a1382 E.V. litil corde] of twelue cubitis cumpasside it. 1537–8 in J. M. Webster & A. A. M. Duncan (1953) 152 To met and messur thair saidis landis be rynd [?read ruyd] and raip. 1562 c. 4 §15 What Wages every Workman..shall take..for Ditching, Paving, Railing or Hedging, by the Rod, Pearch,..Rope or Foot. 1597 J. Skene at Particata Ane rod, ane raip, ane lineal fall of measure, are all ane,..for ilk ane of them conteinis sex elnes in length. 1650 in J. Stuart (1843) 137 And ther measured with rood and roap, the forsaid old gleib. 1794 J. Billingsley 62 The expence of a list wall may be thus calculated per rope of twenty feet running length. 1886 in (at cited word) To the Agricultural Labourer who shall best dig and lay a Rope and Half of Hedge. 1920 W. H. R. Curtler 161 The total cost in Somerset in 1795 was only 8s. 6d. per ‘rope’ of 20 feet. 2007 tr. C. Wilcke 81 The rate is 10 shekels of silver per rope of land and an additional tenth of that in grain. society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > acrobatic performance > [noun] > rope-walking or dancing > rope or wire eOE Cleopatra Gloss. in W. G. Stryker (Ph.D. diss., Stanford Univ.) (1951) 206 Funambulus, rapgon [= rapgong]. a1425 (Stonyhurst) f. 58v Scenobates, goer in repe [perh. read rope]. ?c1475 (BL Add. 15562) f. 102 To go on Rape, funambulus, scenobates. 1542 T. Elyot Neurobatæ, walkers on cordes or ropes. ?1566 J. Alday tr. P. Boaistuau sig. S iv Histrians that we have seene in our time flie on a rope in ye ayre. 1612 J. Webster v. ii See, see Flamineo..Is dancing on the ropes there, and he carries A money-bag in each hand, to keep him even. 1620 S. D'Ewes in J. H. Marsden (1851) 117 A pretty pastime called dancing upon the ropes. 1695 J. Dryden in tr. C. A. Du Fresnoy Pref. p. xlix Like a skilfull dancer on the Ropes (if you will pardon the meanness of the similitude). 1707 J. Stevens tr. F. de Quevedo 484 She..exercis'd her self upon the Streight Rope. 1740 W. Somervile i. 303 Thus on the slacken'd Rope The wingyfooted Artist..Stands tott'ring. a1832 G. Crabbe (1834) VI. 249 She kept a sort of balance in the mind, And as his pole a dancer on the rope, The equal poise on both sides kept me up. 1925 E. Sherson ix. 204 Even an acrobat engaged from a music-hall to amuse the guests at the banquet could not manage to keep on the rope. 2008 21 Sept. (Herald-Times ed.) f2/3 Kelly [sc. the circus clown] would amble in during an exciting low-wire act and hang his laundry on the rope until he was chased off. society > leisure > entertainment > toy or plaything > other toys > [noun] > skipping rope 1794 E. Ford i. 23 He grew so much better that he indulged himself in the usual pastime of boys, jumping with a rope, and standing upon his head. 1800 tr. C. G. Salzmann ii. vii. 325 Skipping with the short rope is pretty generally known, and therefore needs no long description. 1874 R. L. Stevenson in 5 116 A mistress of the art of skipping..the rope passed over her black head and under her scarlet-stockinged legs with a precision and regularity that was like machinery. 1927 C. V. Goddard in 2 128 Never leave the rope empty Go to church on Ash Wednesday. 1959 I. Opie & P. Opie xii. 239 People from the surrounding villages bring great lengths of clothes-line with them, and skip ten and even fifteen abreast in each rope. 2006 M. H. Goodwin iv. 122 In the game of Double Dutch two ‘enders’ turn two ropes in opposite directions in ‘eggbeater fashion’ while a third person jumps within. the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > general equipment > [noun] > lasso 1798 J. C. Davie Let. Jan. in (1805) 255 One half of the men drive a number of the horses towards the spot where the others are stationed with the ropes ready, when the moment the beasts come near each man endeavours to throw the noose over the neck of the one nearest him. 1806 P. Gass 20 Apr. (1807) 201 Remained here all day and had a great deal of trouble with our horses, as they are all studs, and break almost every rope we can raise. 1888 Feb. 506/1 The rope, whether leather lariat or made of grass, is the one essential feature of every cowboy's equipment. 1912 C. A. Siringo iii. 49 The white pony was too cunning for him though, and soon put his rider in a position where the rope could be thrown and the arched neck caught in the running loop. 1944 R. F. Adams (1945) 131/2 When running an animal to be roped, the educated rope horse knows when the cowboy takes down his rope and what is expected of him. 1969 B. K. Green 247 I would pitch a rope over a steer's neck and give it a whip-like motion to where the knot would come back under his neck on the ground back on my side. 2006 ‘L. Burana’ ii. 6 The Tuesday evening performances were..good for upstarts and seasoned competitors who just want to get on some B-grade stock, exercise their horse, or throw a little rope after dinner. e. In plural. With the. the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > enclosing or enclosure > [noun] > that which encloses > an enclosing barrier > ropes society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > boxing > [noun] > ring > ropes 1807 30 34/1 Belcher appeared as gay as at the commencement, and rallied his opponent to the ropes, when an irregular struggle finished the round. 1829 P. Egan New Ser. II. 158 Lenney found himself hanging on the ropes, where he was milled down. 1854 C. Dickens i. ii. 8 He would..bore his opponent..to the ropes, and fall upon him neatly. 1859 C. J. Lever xxx This unforeseen ‘bolt over the ropes’. 1869 2 July A space was barriered off by ropes. 1901 G. B. Shaw ii. i. 302 The Australian Champion and his challenger..fought to a finish... The bold Ned Skene revisited the ropes to hold the battle for his quondam novice. 1971 27 Sept. 9/8 Griffith was defenceless against the ropes and his own corner as Monzon unleashed a string of straight rights and lefts. 2008 (National ed.) 20 Apr. (Sports section) 3/1 He stood for a moment against the ropes, his eyes glassed as if he were mesmerized. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > cricket ground > [noun] > boundary 1862 15 June (Suppl.) 3/3 Tinley was magnificently caught in the ropes at square leg. 1869 14 July 8/6 Freeman cut him beautifully to the ropes in his first over. 1888 R. H. Lyttelton in A. G. Steel & R. H. Lyttelton (Badminton Libr. of Sports & Pastimes) xvi. 404 There is a strong cord running all round the ground, every decently hard hit is certain to reach the ropes if the ball once passes the fieldsman. 1904 A. A. Milne in 18 May 358/1 Time was I cared for cricket,..Cutting a ball to the ropes for four. 1976 J. Snow 168 (caption) Ray Illingworth hooks..in the England v West Indies Test at the Oval, 1973. The ball, arrowed, is on its way to the ropes. 1977 J. Laker 88 Three further perfectly timed shots had cleared the boundary ropes. 2000 D. Adebayo (2001) x. 253 The ball beat the in-field and scurried away to the ropes. the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > washing > washing clothes and textile articles > [noun] > clothesline 1812 Aug. 256 I then dried them in the open air; and seeing that the weather threatened rain, I exposed them on a rope, extended above the court. 1833 T. Carlyle Let. 7 Sept. in (1977) VI. 434 Today white sheets swung triumphantly on the rope. 1898 J. J. H. Burgess 43 ‘Here's dee a pair o' dry socks,’ said Mary, pulling them down from the ‘raep’. 1905 H. E. Fraser in VII. Suppl. 159/1 Polly-shee, an upright pole to which is attached a block and rope, fixed to a window, used for drying clothes in Dundee. 1958 6 Oct. 4/4 Rita Stewart..was accidentally hanged to-day when apparently playing with a clothes pulley rope in her home. 1992 J. Torrington xiii. 113 Because its locks had been broken he'd cut a daud from Ma's clothes-rope and tied it around the case. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > gymnastics > [noun] > equipment 1825 Sept. 442 To the top of a kind of lofty scaffold a ladder and rope are fixed, the rope falling loosely down... These the children learn to climb with their hands only. 1893 3 607 The marks are our subjective estimate of the capacity of the students to climb the perpendicular rope. 1965 D. R. Casady et al. xii. 96/2 When climbing the rope, one must climb down as well as up. 1999 M. Foley v. 74 It was like the first time I was able to climb the rope in gym class, except without the half woody. society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > dwelling place or abode > accommodation or lodging > public lodging-places > [noun] > cheap, dirty, or run-down lodging house or hotel 1836 C. Dickens (1837) xvi. 160 The twopenny rope..is just a cheap lodgin'house, vere the beds is twopence a night...They has two ropes, 'bout six foot apart, and three from the floor, which goes right down the room; and the beds are made of slips of coarse sacking, stretched across 'em...At six o'clock every mornin', they lets go the ropes at one end, and down falls all the lodgers. 1850 C. Kingsley (new ed.) v. 55 Werry well; then you must keep moving all night continually, whereby you avoids the hact [i.e. act of Parliament]; or else you goes to a twopenny-rope shop and gets a lie down. 1973 L. Heren i. 10 One of the ropes, or lodging houses, was home for Indian pedlars... The rope was next to a pub. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > mountaineering or climbing > [noun] > mountaineer or climber > group, esp. one that is roped together 1935 D. Pilley iv. 84 And for those who did not lead, but still desired to take the share of responsibility which falls to any genuine member of a rope, a climb would help. 1941 C. F. Kirkus iii. 46 When a rope travelling south meets a rope travelling west the result is apt to be rather like a Maypole dance. 1955 M. E. B. Banks v. 89 Lower down we passed under some tottering, unstable-looking séracs, in company with an Italian and a French rope. 1979 D. Clark ii. 33 It's up to you and your pals on the same rope to make your own decisions as the need crops up. 3. society > authority > punishment > capital punishment > hanging > [noun] > gallows > parts of > noose or rope society > authority > punishment > capital punishment > [noun] eOE tr. Orosius (BL Add.) (1980) vi. xxxvi. 154 Hiene ofsmorode Ambogestes.., & hiene siþþan mid rapum [L. laqueo] be þæm sweoran up aheng, gelicost þæm þe he hiene self unwitende hæfde awierged. c1325 (c1300) (Calig.) 9212 An rop me dude aboute is nekke, he suor honge he ssolde. c1380 (1879) 2902 (MED) Þanne aboute ys nekke þay caste a rop ful harde y-wounde. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 16501 A rape he gatt al priueli,..þer-wit him-self he hang. a1450 (a1338) R. Mannyng (Lamb.) (1887) i. l. 10010 (MED) Þer ostages ilkon he heng Heye on galewes wyþ rop & streng. 1490 W. Caxton tr. (1885) xi. 281 I promyse..to lende you a rope, yf ye have nede of it. a1500 (a1460) (1897–1973) 22 (MED) I shall hang the..with this rope. 1535 D. Lindsay 2450 I think to se thy craig gar ane raip crack. a1585 A. Montgomerie Flyting with Polwart (Tullibardine) in (2000) I. 142 Thow will rax in ane raip or þe end of the ȝeir. 1599 J. Minsheu Pleasant Dialogues Spanish & Eng. 68 in R. Percyvall & J. Minsheu A rope of a hanged man. a1649 W. Drummond Hist. James V in (1711) 112 Because they could not agree among themselves about those who should stretch the Ropes,..they escaped all the Danger. 1670 C. Cotton tr. G. Girard i. iii. 127 An old man..told me this story,..being one of those set apart for the Rope. 1712 J. Arbuthnot iii. 14 When these Wretches had the Ropes about their Necks. 1781 W. Cowper 584 All had long suppos'd him dead, By cold submersion, razor, rope, or lead. 1857 G. Borrow II. x. 142 He used to say, that they were fools, who did not always manage to keep the rope below their shoulders. 1899 W. Besant ii. ix. 227 I feel..as if the rope was already round my neck. 1934 H. N. Rose 18/1 Jim got a rope this morning. 1935 A. J. Pollock 98/2 Rope, hanging. 1935 J. Hargan 7 Rope, take a, to hang oneself, to commit suicide. 1976 14 Oct. 4/4 The complete disregard for law and order which is so prevalent today is the direct result of the policies..which resulted in the cane being abolished for disobedient schoolboys, the birch for thugs and the rope for murderers. 2006 30 Dec. 3/1 That last walk to the scaffold—that crack of the neck at the end of a rope. the mind > language > malediction > oaths > [noun] > oaths other than religious or obscene 1598 R. Bernard tr. Terence Andria i. ii, in 17 Whats the matter now with him? what a rope ailes he? What a deuill would he haue? 1599 H. Porter sig. E2v Boy. Hold fast by the bucket Hodge. Hod. A rope on it. 1682 N. O. tr. N. Boileau-Despréaux iv. 19 What the Rope ails you? (cry'd the testy Lacquey). 1705 in (1707) IV. 115 A way with your Ballads, be gon with old Simon, What a Rope can you find so delightful to rhime on? 1728 C. Cibber v. iii. 91 But what a-Rope makes the Parson stay so? the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > derision, ridicule, or mockery > exclamations of derision or ridicule [interjection] > specific shout of ridicule 1607 W. N. sig. D4v Amongst the rest, a blacke and filthie bird Sate on a skrange, and cries, A rope, a rope. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. iv. 52 Winchester Goose, I cry, a Rope, a Rope. Now beat them hence. View more context for this quotation 1663 S. Butler i. i. 42 He understood..What Member 'tis of whom they talk When they cry Rope, and Walk Knave, walk. II. Something resembling rope or likened to rope. 4. the world > space > shape > condition of being long in relation to breadth > [noun] > object resembling rope or string society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > materials having undergone process > [noun] > twisted together 1393 in L. T. Smith (1894) 158 (MED) Diuersis operariis facientibus ropez de dicto feno pro diuersis equis in naui, vij s. 1393 in L. T. Smith (1894) 174/27 (MED) Pro factura de ropes de dicto feno, viij scot. ?1523 J. Fitzherbert f. xv For to knowe whan it [sc. hay] is widdred ynough make a lytell rope of ye same. 1598 M. Drayton (new ed.) f. 52 v O that I were a Witch..I would..knit whole ropes of witchknots in her hayre. 1610 G. Markham ii. cx. 391 With a soft rope of hay. 1682 N. Grew iv. iii. v. 187 By the Length..do run a pair of little Vascular Ropes. 1686 J. Goad i. ii. 2 A Fog which sometimes casts it self into Shreds or Ropes, and..furls up into Gossamere. 1731 P. Miller I. at Asplenium Seed-pods..furnish'd with a little round Rope. 1759 J. Mills tr. H. L. Duhamel du Monceau i. viii. 45 This would only raise a long unwieldy rope of turf. 1843 6 38/2 The effect of this..is to form a running rope of water in the pipe. 1891 T. Hardy II. xxxix. 272 An immense rope of hair like a ship's cable. 1926 E. D. Biggers vi. 70 Miss Minerva was sitting on a grass mat in a fragrant garden in the Hawaiian quarter of Honolulu... Her neck was garlanded with ropes of buff ginger-blossoms twined with maile. 1986 L. Erdrich (1989) i. iii. 48 It went through me like a rope of fire, tangling my guts, lighting a pinpoint of sense in my brain. 2007 Dec.–Jan. 13/2 ‘Worm ropes’ have been observed in the Lower 48 and in places like the Philippines and are sometimes referred to as ‘army worms’. the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > thread or yarn > [noun] > silk > for sewing or embroidery 1880 L. Higgin i. 4 ‘Embroidery’, or Bobbin Silk..is manufactured in what is technically called ‘rope’, that is, with about twelve strands in each thread. When not ‘rope’ silk, it is in single strands, and is then called ‘fine’ silk. 1910 2/2 Arden's ‘Hazel’ Embroidery No. 3... As thick as (and closely resembling) those silks called ‘Rope’ and ‘Cable’, it can be used for merely outlining with long and short stitch. society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > lineage or descent > [noun] > a line of descent > side > opposite sides 1935 M. Mead x. 176 Instead..of organizing people into patrilineal groups or matrilineal groups..the Mundugumor have a form of organization that they call a rope. A rope is composed of a man, his daughters, his daughters' sons, his daughters' sons' daughters; or if the count is begun from a woman..her sons, her sons' daughters..[etc.]. 1953 A. K. C. Ottaway ii. 25 Inheritance [among Mundugumor] passes from father to daughter, and then to her son. This is known as a ‘rope’. 1968 VIII. 405/2 Men may be linked cross-sexually to their mothers, and women to their fathers, to produce the alternating or cross-sexual system of the ‘rope’. 2001 L. Zimmer-Tamakoshi in R. Feinberg & M. Ottenheimer viii. 188 Descent groups [among the Gende]—known as narawa, meaning ‘line’ or ‘rope’—are modeled on lines of male ancestors and their male and female children. the world > the universe > heavenly body > [noun] > area surrounding > magnetic lines 1961 H. W. Babcock in 133 577 The fluid shear will be affected by the increased magnetic viscosity of local field concentrations, and these will be twisted into more or less discrete flux strands or ‘ropes’... The flux ropes may be visualized as roller bearings. 1977 21 Apr. 686/1 More than 90% of the total magnetic flux, outside pores and sunspots, that emerges from the sun is confined to ropes that are only a few hundred kilometres across. 1994 B. Rompolt in M. Schüssler & W. Schmidt 377 Along this rope prominence material was observed to flow down to the chromosphere. 2009 7 Feb. 36/3 Flux ropes connect the magnetic fields in the solar wind with those of the magnetosphere and the two become entwined, linking Earth's domain with that of the sun. 5. the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > arrangement in (a) row(s) or line(s > [noun] > a line or row > of things fastened together c1400 (Bute) c. 4 Of ilk soume of gerleke that is xxiiii rapys. 1407 in W. C. Dickinson (1957) 238 De centum rape onoignys. 1469–70 in J. T. Fowler (1898) I. 93 (MED) Pro 14 Rapys del unyons empt. erga festum Sci. Cuthberti, 12 d. 1472 in J. T. Fowler (1898) I. 94 (MED) Pro 30 rapys del unyons, 2 s. 6 d. 1562 J. Heywood Sixt Hundred Epigrammes xxxix, in sig. Cciijv Wilt thou hang vp with ropes of ynions? 1622 T. Dekker & P. Massinger ii. sig. Fv Lets both be turnd into a rope of Onyons if we do. a1690 S. Jeake (1696) 66 Garlick. In 1 Hundred 15 Ropes. In 1 Rope 15 Heads. 1705 E. Ward I. iv. 21 Be sure you never trust..The Value of a Rope of Onions With him that halts 'twixt two Opinions. 1796 J. G. Stedman II. xix. 68 From the middle of the branches appears the seed, hanging down also in the form of a large rope of onions. 1890 9 June 7/2 ‘Ropes’ of ova being washed ashore from the weeds along the banks. 1896 G. F. Northall 191 ‘Reeve of onions’, a rope or string of onions. 1925 tr. Aristophanes in F. A. Wright 43 Pigs moreover, Pumpkins, and pecks of salt, and ropes of onions, Were voted to be merchandise from Megara. 1992 C. Hardyment vii. 94 Root cellars were for vegetables: potatoes in sacks, carrots embedded in sand, onions plaited into ropes. the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > [noun] > a series or succession > long or complete the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > types of ornamentation > jewellery > neck ornaments > [noun] > necklace or collar > of pearls ?a1549 (1998) I. 66/2 Item twooe Roopes of meane perles euerie roope conteyning Cj perle. a1586 Sir P. Sidney (1590) i. xvi. sig. K6 Queene Helen, whose Iacinth haire..intercurled by arte (like a fine brooke through golden sands) had a rope of faire pearles. 1617 T. Roe Jrnl. 6 Oct. in S. Purchas (1625) I. iv. xvi. 571 I told him I had a rich Pearle, and some other ropes faire. 1630 W. Davenant iii. sig. E1v This orient Roape is yours, and you must wear't. a1640 P. Massinger (1658) iii. iii. 32 Rubies, Saphires, And ropes of Orient pearl. 1665 T. Herbert (new ed.) 140 About his neck [was] a rope of carcanet of great Oriental Pearl. 1713 J. Smith 48 The Ropes of Pearl those meaner Beauties wear, Proclaim them rather Rich, than Fair. 1870 B. Disraeli (new ed.) xxxiii The Justinianis have ropes of pearls—Madame Justiniani..gives a rope to every one of her children when they marry. 1931 7 113 Get this rope to the fence before we fall for receiving. 1966 A. Loos vii. 145 Gaby Deslys..wore ‘ropes’ of pearls, as they were then called. 2004 (Compact ed.) 6 Mar. 10/4 A velvet tuxedo for evening, worn with crisp white shirt and ropes of pearls, was also clearly borrowed from the masculine wardrobe. the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > [noun] > a series or succession 1621 R. Burton iii. iv. i. iii. 752 A rope of Popes, who from that time they proclaimed themselues vniuersall Bishops..brought in such a company of humane traditions..that the light of the Gospell was quite eclipsed. 1631 R. Bolton 31 An aspersion..that not all the bloud of that rope of Popes, which constitute Antichrist, could ever be able to expiate. a1637 B. Jonson Under-woods in (1640) III. 215 Let poore Nobilitie be vertuous: Wee, Descended in a rope of Titles, be From Guy, or Bevis, Arthur, or from whom The Herald will. 1706 P. Motteux et al. tr. M. de Cervantes (ed. 2) IV. lxii. 415 I warn thee to forebear foisting in a Rope of Proverbs every where. 1756 E. Perronet i. ccxxi. 51 A lineal chain, Of Prelates and their Laws..A rope of villains and of Priests, Fierce as the tyger or the beasts, Of Afric's wild domain. 1846 tr. E. Swedenborg XI. xxviii. 532 Ropes of vanity denote conjunctions of falsities, which are productive of iniquity or evil of life. 1914 B. L. P. Weale i. 6 A string of inconsequences, destined perhaps to form the strands of a rope of disaster. 1992 Nov. 76/1 Here was this immensely confident young man..with a rope of critical and commercial successes behind him. 6. the world > matter > constitution of matter > density or solidity > viscosity > [noun] > viscous substance > stringy formation 1747 H. Glasse xvii. 150 The best Thing for Rope Beer. 1765 p. xxii Acrospired malts..are not subject to raw nor rope. 1846 W. L. Tizard (ed. 2) 532 The viscid and oily effect termed ‘the rope’. 1857 E. L. Birkett (ed. 5) 278 They will..form dense masses in the urine, hanging in ropes like the thickest puriform mucus. 1869 R. D. Blackmore I. vii. 75 I count him no more than the ropes in beer. 1966 53 199/2 Calothrix in the soil-water medium showed ‘rope’ formation but it was growing primarily in the fluid phase. 2001 P. S. Hughes & E. D. Baxter iv. 95 The acetic acid bacteria..can lead to haze and rope. the world > food and drink > food > dishes and prepared food > bread > [noun] > bacterial condition in bread 1899 J. Blandy (ed. 4) iii. 169 (heading) Rope in cakes. 1921 W. Jago & W. C. Jago xvii. 345 During hot weather bread is liable to an outbreak of the disease called ‘rope’. 1921 W. Jago & W. C. Jago xvii. 345 Modern writers agree in ascribing rope to bacterial activity. 1972 Mar. 18/1 Baked goods, for example, go stale rapidly. Once made, they are often exposed to mold spores that become active in warm weather or high humidity. In bread the spores produce a condition called ‘rope’. 2006 A. Whitley (2009) ii. 40 Rope is kept at bay in modern baking by strict hygiene, temperature control, and ultimately with chemical preservatives. 7. the world > physical sensation > use of drugs and poison > tobacco > smoking > articles or materials used in smoking > [noun] > thing which may be smoked > cigar or cheroot > cigar 1641 J. Taylor 1/2 The Pagan weed (Tobacco) was our hope In Leafe, Pricke, Role, Ball, Pudding, Pipe, or Rope. Brasseele, Varina, Meavis, Trinidado, [etc.].] 1899 F. Norris 141 The smoke of his cheap tobacco drifted into the faces of the group... ‘If you've got to smoke rope like that, smoke it in a crowd of muckers; don't come here amongst gentlemen.’ 1906 ‘H. McHugh’ 73 Sat down to enjoy a smoke of domestic rope which fell across my nostrils. 1915 M. Glass v. 173 ‘That rope, as you call it, stands me in seventy dollars a thousand, and the way that boy helps himself..you might think it was waste paper.’.. ‘I thought it so, too, when I smoked it.’ 1934 H. McLellan in 10 Nov. 29/2 He jerked a cigar out of her mouth... ‘It burns my stomach to see a dame smoking a rope.’ 1967 N. Bogner 212 How the hell you smoke that cheap rope is a mystery to me. 1978 H. Wouk vii. 66 Carter Aster was smoking a long brown Havana tonight. That meant his spirits were high; otherwise he consumed vile gray Philippine ropes. 2003 V. O. Carter 176 The old man cried, an' bit down on that cigar... When he bites down on that rope look out! the world > physical sensation > use of drugs and poison > an intoxicating drug > [noun] > a) narcotic drug(s) > marijuana or cannabis 1944 D. Burley 146/2 Rope, marijuana cigarette. 1945 L. Shelly 16/2 Rope... Marijuana cigarette. 1972 2 July 14 Detectives from the CIB Drug Squad in Brisbane are becoming quite familiar now with words like muggles, griefs, mezz, Mary Jane, jive, tea, rope and loco~weed. 1990 S. Morgan ix. 65 You wanna sell a coupla them ropes? 2007 E. Schickel 209 ‘I'm not sleeping well,’ would be my reply, too embarrassed to admit I had been home smoking rope like a tenth-grader on spring break. Phrases P1. society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > freedom of action or from restraint > not restrain [verb (transitive)] a1475 (Lansd.) (Ph.D. diss., Univ. of Washington) (1965) 8874 (MED) Lat hir not to longe roop haue. a1659 R. Brownrig (1674) I. iii. 42 Give them rope, and scope enough, let them do their utmost. 1672 R. Wild Poetica Licentia in 28 The Papists swelling is the way to burst, Let them have Rope enough, and do their worst. 1797 M. R. Boulton Let. 19 May in H. W. Dickinson (1934) ii. 28 By giving him length of rope we have no doubt but they will get entangled & the injunction may be enforced when they least expect it. 1892 ‘F. Anstey’ 2nd Ser. 103 I appeal to you, give this man rope—he's doing our work splendidly. 1901 H. James xii. 242 But I felt sure of you..from the moment, half an hour ago, you so kindly spoke to me. I gave you, you see.., what's called ‘rope’. 1991 M. S. Power (1992) xii. 119 But his instructions had been plain enough: do nothing, and say nothing. Give Larski as much rope as he wanted. 1639 T. Fuller v. vii. 239 Suffered to have rope enough, till they had haltered themselves in a Præmunire. 1687 E. Settle 67 Give our Commentator but Rope, and he hangs himself. 1698 in (1950) 7 106 The Kings prerogative..will be hard for his Successor to retrieve, though theres a saying give Men Rope enough, they will hang themselves. 1704 R. B. To Rdr. sig. A3v Give him Rope enough and he'll hang himself at last. 1855 Ld. Lonsdale in (1884) III. xxix. 323 You may regard it as only giving them rope to hang themselves! 1887 J. Hawthorne xiv Evidently, the best way..was to give him plenty of rope wherewith to hang himself. 1941 ‘G. Bagby’ x. 251 ‘And if you give a man enough rope he hangs himself.’.. ‘If it's any comfort to you..you're not the only one's been getting rope.’ 1998 16 Jan. 42/3 But Mortimer argues that his star reaches the same ends as the most ferocious interviewer through more subtle means. ‘Louis is not threatening, but he gives them enough rope to hang themselves.’ the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > separation or breaking up into constituent parts > [noun] > incohesion > something lacking cohesion 1560 T. Gressop tr. N. Cabasilas sig. D Neither he in vsyng these argumentes, doth any more preuayl, then if he shuld attempt to wrethe a rope of sande. 1624 T. Gataker 152 Like ropes of sand (as wee are wont to say) doe these things hang together. 1670 Earl of Clarendon Contempl. & Reflexions upon Psalms in (1727) 583 Which destroys all possible security and confidence in this rope of sand, which Tradition is. 1757 M. Postlethwayt Introd. p. xxviii It is no Wonder, therefore, that such Kind of Confederacies have always proved a Rope of Sand. 1780 G. Morris in J. Sparks (1832) I. 222 Our union will become a mere rope of sand. 1800 J. Adams Let. 3 Oct. in (1854) IX. 87 Sweden and Denmark, Russia and Prussia, might form a rope of sand, but no dependence can be placed on such a maritime coalition. 1894 F. M. Elliot iv. 124 The alliance fell through of itself like a rope of sand. 1913 11 Dec. 15/3 Such a register of members is, in general, a very rope of sand. 1985 T. Waits Singapore (song) in (CD lyrics booklet) I danced along a coloured wind. Dangled from a rope of sand. 1599 J. Minsheu Pleasant Dialogues Spanish & Eng. 2 in R. Percyvall & J. Minsheu No se a de mentár la soga, en casa del ahorcádo,..a man ought not to make mention of a halter in the house of a man that was hanged.] 1612 T. Shelton tr. M. de Cervantes iii. xi. 244 Why doe I name an Asse with my mouth, seeing one should not make mention of a Rope in ones house that was hanged [Sp. no se ha de mentar la soga en casa del ahorcado]? 1890 J. Payn xxxii. 232 Miss Grace, whom he pictured..as sensitive upon the matter, as though if her parent had been hung she would have been to an allusion to a rope. 1974 J. L. Hess xvi. 149 To talk of Raphael in the Boston Museum was like mentioning rope in the house of a hanged man. 1995 14 July a4 Whenever he hears the very word ‘Vietnam’, shame could compel Mr. Clinton to excuse himself... He should remember FDR's famous admonition to avoid speaking of rope in the house of a man recently hanged. the world > action or operation > adversity > in adversity [phrase] > at the end of one's resources society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restrain [verb (intransitive)] > be finally checked in wrongdoing 1647 J. Cleveland (1653) 81 But the Squib is run to the end of the Rope.] 1686 tr. J. Chardin Coronation Solyman 106 in Being run to the end of his Rope [Fr. au bout de ses finesses], as one that had no more Excuses to make. a1693 M. Bruce (1708) 65 Will ye let them run to the end of their Rope, and there ye will see them all worried in their own Band. 1764 Feb. 74/2 The defendant, without redemption, is at the end of his rope, and nothing wanting to complete his misery but personal execution! 1846 Mar. 261 But we are at the end of our rope; having only room to add, that Mr. Smith's work is profusely and admirably illustrated by Darley. 1884 Nov. 58/2 He acknowledged to himself savagely that he had about got to the end of his rope. 1898 W. Besant Prol. 7 His rope is certainly long out, so that he is kept from Tyburn Tree by some special favour. 1899 W. Besant ii. xii. 252 They have come to the end of their rope: their time is up. 1931 F. L. Allen ii. 32 Physically the President was almost at the end of his rope. 1954 N. Coward v. vi. 321 What I had been dreading for a long time happened. I collapsed finally and knew that I had come to the end of my rope. 1971 12 June 7/4 On Monday, 24 May, the Mans strikers—now at the end of their rope financially—voted to accept the compromise proposals. 2007 Feb. 50/3 Honestly, I'm at the end of my rope with conversation..noise... I want so badly to have a few months of silence. the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > be versed or skilled [verb (intransitive)] society > education > teaching > [verb (transitive)] > teach how 1802 J. Skene Diary in (1937) 127 I am a stranger and..I beg you to show me how I ought to proceed... You know the ropes and can give me good advice. 1840 R. H. Dana ix. 74 The captain, who..‘knew the ropes’, took the steering oar. 1848 Dec. 747/2 He's in my watch, and the captain wants him to rough it out; so show him the ropes, and let him taste an end now an' then. 1850 ‘J. Timon’ Sketch 18 Aug. in I. Marvell (1852) II. 186 The belle of two weeks standing, who has ‘learned the ropes’. 1854 33rd Congress 1st Session App. 893/2 They are familiar with all the dodges of the season, understand the ropes about town [etc.]. 1874 (rev. ed.) 271 ‘To know the ropes,’ is to be conversant with the minutiæ of metropolitan dodges, as regards both the streets and the sporting world. 1876 W. Besant & J. Rice III. xiii. 230 You've sought me out, and gone about this city with me; you've put me up to ropes. 1894 J. N. Maskelyne 98 The circle was composed entirely of men who thought they ‘knew the ropes’ as well as he did. a1911 D. G. Phillips (1917) II. ii. 20 'I'll show you the ropes,' said Miss Hinkle... 'You'll find the job dead easy.' 1937 ‘G. Orwell’ ix. 182 I would find out about tramps and how you got in touch with them..and then, when I..knew the ropes well enough, I would go on the road myself. 1948 E. Waugh 133 Mr. Schultz had found a young man to take Dennis's place and Dennis was spending his last week at the Happier Hunting Ground in showing him the ropes. 1973 G. Greene i. i. 26 Fortnum knew the local ropes. He saved the Ambassador a lot of trouble. 2008 1 Jan. (Washington Final ed.) a1/6 It is clear that Mr. Zardari is going to be regent while his son learns the ropes. society > authority > power > influence > have influence [verb (intransitive)] > exert influence > behind the scenes 1839 17 2 Mrs. Theobald named the unfortunate Paulina, when she won at Gorhambury; and the Lady, we understand, gave no directions to Mr. Curwen to ‘pull the ropes’.] 1841 Sept. 242 When we parted my compatriot promised to ‘pull the ropes for me’. 1876 W. G. Nash iv. 70 I cum purty near..tellin' 'em that Elton wouldn't pull a rope for him, if he got the nominashun. 1880 H. W. French xvii. 230 He must have a tremendous influence, and know well how to work the ropes. 1895 W. Campbell Mordred ii. ii, in (1908) 44 I am half resolved to..help to pull the ropes behind the scenes That aid the puppets to their forced parts. 1900 G. N. Boothby i. 19 You do require to know the ropes. And what is more, you require to be very careful how you pull those ropes when you are familiar with them. 1920 E. Dejeans vi. 38 I have been, as you say, ‘pulling the ropes’ to get some kind of commission with the medical corps. 2004 E. Vary iv. 48 As a result of my boss's influence and knowledge of how to ‘work the ropes’, the state gave me a permanent job. 1855 xi. 156 He considered the blows struck while Burke was on the ropes perfectly fair. 1889 R. G. A. Allanson-Winn xvii. 85 If B's leg, or any portion of his person, is in contact with either stakes or ropes, he is, in a sense, ‘on the ropes’, though between this position and hanging over in a helpless condition there are many grades. 1924 ‘W. Fabian’ xv. 175 You've got him on the ropes. They tell me he shows signs of matrimony. 1958 F. C. Avis (U.S. ed.) 78 On the ropes, said of a boxer who is forced back on to the ropes by his opponent, or is lying helpless on them. 1972 16 May (Wall Street Suppl.) p. iv/2 A good section of the industry was on the ropes and there were times when I wondered if it would survive. 1980 26 Jan. 81/3 There is talk that the Kennedy campaign is not just ‘on the ropes’, but that it is plain dead. 2007 17 Nov. 2/2 Four years ago, the dollar was riding high and it was the euro that was on the ropes. Compounds C1. General attributive. a. In sense ‘made of rope’. the world > food and drink > food > container for food > [noun] > basket > for fish the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > other fishing equipment > [noun] > angler's basket 1811 J. E. Smith tr. C. Linnaeus II. 177 The fish are then put into a rope basket, and salted as before. 1965 38 46 Two divers alternate..gathering sponges by means of a short handled rake and a rope basket. 2008 (Nexis) 21 Dec. (Travel) 26 Monks used flimsy ladders or were lowered in rope baskets to till their meagre plots or attend religious services, retreating to their eyries each evening. 1869 4 298 A rope bed is stretched along the center of a long tub, and arranged by pulleys so that it can be elevated or lowered at pleasure, and the patient..passes a portion of his life underwater. 1925 H. Crane 17 June (1965) 208 A lot of wonderful old rope beds and furniture came right along with it. 2003 (National ed.) 16 Mar. i. 23/5 Among the items were..two 19th-century rope beds..and more than 100 boxes of documents. 1872 29 Aug. 2/5 In Wyandotte a peg pulled out of Mrs. Wilder's rope bedstead. 1971 Sept.–Oct. 15/1 Another early..bed is the low poster rope bedstead. 1995 (Nexis) 29 Dec. b4 A tour guide, leading visitors through rope bedsteads, demonstrates an ancient corn grinder. 1867 June 281/1 He led him coaxingly to us, and when I had extemporized a rope bit and bridle, we all three mounted. 1940 C. Day Lewis tr. Virgil iii. 61 Try a rope-bit In his mouth now and then. 1990 2 June 340/3 Worn, rough patches on the prehistoric teeth suggests the riders used a rope bit. 1792 J. Rennell (new ed.) vii. 370 Alucknundra..runs with astonishing rapidity, and is crossed by means of rope bridges, of a peculiar construction. 1816 H. Douglas vi. 167 Rope-bridges were formerly much used in war. 1961 L. van der Post 10 I was possibly the only person who could start this kind of interpretation; who could be this kind of improvised little ropebridge over the deep abyss between the modern man and the first person of Africa. 2002 T. Pinchuck et al. (ed. 3) 274 One of the highlights is crossing the Indiana Jonesesque 118-metre rope bridge..to pass through the upper reaches of the forest canopy. 1876 W. H. Preece & J. Sivewright 171 The pad or rope-buffer b is next placed over this. 1938 Aug. 288/2 Around the sheer battens, over the tacks, screw a hardwood strip about ¾ by ¼ in., and to this secure a rope buffer all the way around. 2001 (Nexis) 27 Dec. 23 The rugs were removed, and white plastic replaced fabric and rope buffers between the hull and dock. 1689 24 Else all the World will not be able To pull it up with a Rope-Cable. 1794 D. Steel I. 76 (table) 30 fathoms of yarn make 18 fathoms of rope cable laid, and so in proportion. 1836 VI. 260/1 If provided only with rope cables it is necessary to ride with a bower-anchor and a kedge. 1971 66 537 The barrel is attached by a rope cable to a small ship above. 2001 (Nexis) 7 June c1 (caption) Four-year-old Devin Claypole swings from one arm on a rope cable at the Riverview Park and Zoo. 1827 D. Duncan iii. 75 Rope fenders are made by fastening pieces of rope together, so as to hang over the sides of the ship, and guard her timbers from injury by the force or pressure of the ice. 1998 Aug. 80/2 (advt.) Highest quality traditional rope fenders. 1791 J. H. Moore (ed. 9) 287 Reeve Rope grammots [1800 (ed. 14) grommets] through those Holes in the Rudder and After-part of the Stern-post. 1820 W. Scoresby II. 234 All the oars are fixed by rope-grommets to a single thole. 1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Gun-slings, long rope grommets used for hoisting in and mounting them. 1986 E. Hall in A. Limon et al. (ed. 2) iii. ix. 434 The purpose of the rope grommet was to prevent the jointing material entering the drain to impede free flow and establishing a cause of blockage. 1793 J. E. Smith III. xlii. 200 Their rope harnesses, and clumsy yokes, are so unmanageable, it is impossible to drive their carts and waggons with any accuracy. 1882 ‘Ouida’ I. ii. 45 Its miserable horses straining at their rope harness. 1997 Jan. 3/1 Removing grit from ledges and inaccessible crannies was done by experienced contractors safeguarded by rope harnesses and using small trowels and suction devices. 1797 III. 38/1 The vacant spaces between the stanchions are commonly filled with rope-mats, cork, or pieces of old cable. 1849 Oct. 91 Hands like a bunch of carrots—hair something uglier than a rope mat—water elegantly reproduced by the heraldic wavy—and clouds literally nebuly. 1999 72 32 (caption) A woven rope mat with G2 symmetry. 1780 in (Bath & West of Eng. Soc.) 16 One man holds the plough, and guides the horses with rope-reins. 1805 R. W. Dickson I. 415 The ploughman driving by means of rope reins. 1939 C. D. Bowen iii. 25 The postilion's horn roared through the cold barn, the yamshiks, pulling on the rope reins, shouted to their teams. 1989 S. Connaughton in D. Bolger (1994) 128 Lifting the rope reins from the slipe he flapped them over the horse's back. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > mountaineering or climbing > [noun] > artificial aid > types of 1839 20 Apr. 45/1 The first stone, being of a compact form, was blown to pieces, and the rope sling by which it had been lowered, and which had not been removed, was broken. 1872 630 Instead of the metallic slings, ‘rope slings’ may be used. 1901 S. Merwin & H. K. Webster i. 5 ‘Slack away!’ he called to the engineers, and he cast off the rope sling. 1957 R. W. Clark & E. C. Pyatt xvi. 239 Rope-slings were used thus as early as 1931. 1971 C. Bonington xi. 127 Standing in a rope sling, suspended from a peg, he was able to reach up to another crack above the overhang and hammer in a further peg, clipped in another sling and pulled himself up. 1991 Sept. 44/3 Saipem of Milan has awarded Norway's ScanRope a contract for 12 mega-class wire rope slings. 1876 May 673/1 The alpagatas have a woven-rope sole and cloth uppers, and are bound by narrow strips to the feet.] 1881 G. J. Gilbard 108 Anyone who intends trying his luck with the ‘Cabras Montesas’, as the ibex are called by the Spaniards, should provide himself with a pair of light but strong laced up boots, and have rope soles put on to them. 1964 O. E. Middleton in C. K. Stead (1966) 2nd Ser. 210 The messboy's discreet ropesoles pad patiently to and fro. 2004 J. Denby xiii. 89 She beamed up at me from her full five-foot-three in rope-sole wedgies. b. In other uses. 1858 9 Oct. 475/2 (heading) The Rope Boy... After walking some distance, she came to a rope-walk... At one end of the building she saw a little boy turning a large wheel. 1952 Sept. 206 Ropeboys just standing can feel cocky pride in shouting. 1970 26 Nov. 13/2 A rope boy, in climbing diction, is a second man who spends patient hours securely belayed as he holds or pays out the rope for a leader. 2005 (Nexis) 6 July b1 At 8 he became a rope boy, keeping lines taut to control the crush of crowds. At 14, he began supervising the rope boys. a1754 P. Grant (1813) I. at Fraud No. 24 John Forrester's circumstances failed, and to get a delay from the Rope-Factory, his creditors, he indorsed and sent them five bills drawn by himself and of his handwriting, bearing to be accepted by different persons. 1829 A. Royall II. 120 Mr John Irwin of Allegheny town, has an extensive rope factory, where cordage of all kinds, from the smallest wrapping twine to the largest ship cables are made. 1999 63 8 At Chatham we made our most spectacular discovery; the preserved remains of a unique 18th-century man-of-war, laid out..beneath the floor of the rope factory. a1918 W. Owen Mental Cases in (1920) 8 Thus their hands are plucking at each other; Picking at the rope-knouts of their scourging. 1926 R. Love ix. 94 The Federal militia lashed him along the corn-rows with a rope knout. 1827 21 Mar. 188/1 One of the most remarkable examples of the advantage of substituting scientific mechanical combinations for ordinary manual operations, is displayed in the rope machinery of England. 1999 (Nexis) 30 Aug. His company, Haskell-Dawes Inc., a rope-machinery manufacturer that has been in the neighborhood since 1890, will host the event. 1893 11 361 In the parks established in deeper water the matter of rope management becomes more complicated. 1968 P. Crew 100/2 In artificial climbing rope management can become very complicated. 1996 Feb. 44 The following alpine skills: proper crampon fitting and adjustment.., elementary belaying, and rope management. 1728 A. Campbell 154 The Rope-Manufactures, that People may have wherewithal to maul their bare Back and Shoulders. 1838 1 320/2 On Huddart's Rope Machinery... The above communication on the improvements in rope manufacture [etc.]. 1929 H. A. A. Nicholls & J. H. Holland (ed. 2) ii. xviii. 529 ‘Deora’ or ‘Dourah,’ used in rope manufacture. 2000 J. Mann (rev. ed.) iii. 81 Rope manufacture remained the major use for hemp until quite recently. 1851 8 347 An urn..ornamented with eight perpendicular lines of the rope pattern, alternately with eight lines impressed horizontally. 1890 A. H. Sayce vii. 116 The so-called rope-pattern occurs once or twice on Babylonian gems. 1946 G. B. Sansom (rev. ed.) i. 1 Two main types of neolithic culture are distinguished. One is known as the Jōmon (‘rope-pattern’) type, because the pottery which characterises it was made by coiling or has a coil as conventional decoration. 2006 (Soc. for Promotion Hellenic Stud.) No. 52. 141 On top of nozzle, two straight parallel lines of lightly impressed rope pattern. 1785 14 Dec. 77/1 Mary Ives..saw the prisoner Sorrell..with the ropes round him, and followed him to a rope-shop, where he went to sell it. 1840 29 Aug. 252/3 He went into a rope-shop in Flanders, his native region, and sought to purchase some strong ropes. 1978 6 285/1 Specialized suppliers such as yacht chandlers and ‘good rope shops’. 1851 Jan. 692/2 Chuck-farthing waxed more interesting every moment, rope-skipping was become a rage. 1969 R. D. Abrahams p. xv Rope skipping..with men..is now part of the training program for some athletic activity..rather than a game. 1994 23 June 30/2 There are grand descriptive sections on various games: rope-skipping, football, ‘pitch-pot’, dominoes. 1865 G. W. Gesner (ed. 2) ii. 28 Rope socket..to which the rope is attached at one end and at the other to the Temper Screw. 1935 Apr. 118/2 Actual drilling is done by a ‘string’ of tools... At the top of the string is the connecting rope socket, which permits the tools to turn freely, ensuring a round hole. 2007 (Nexis) 23 Mar. d1 A collection of rope sockets sits on the floor of ESCO's finishing area in Northwest Portland. The sockets are part of a rigging package for a huge dragline bucket used by coal mines. 1841 XIX. 260/2 Rope-traction..is attended with great expense from the wear of the ropes. 1887 J. B. Smith (title) A treatise upon cable or rope traction, as applied to the working of street and other railways. 2002 D. A. Snow (new ed.) section 3.15.23 Hydraulic lifts have an advantage over rope-traction lifts in that the lift machine room can be situated remotely from the lift shaft. 1693 W. Gilpin Let. 2 Aug. in D. R. Hainsworth (1983) 56 Besides that it will be very beneficial to your rope trade. 1820 26 Oct. 1/1 (advt.) The business now carried on is in the stationary and rope trade, and capable of great improvement. 2006 (Nexis) 21 Oct. (Travel) 11 The market town of Bridport, where the wide streets—a legacy of the rope trade—are lined with handsome Georgian buildings. C2. a. Objective. 1376 in W. Boys (1792) 556/1 De chescun roplegher de xx lussell de canibre. 1599 T. Nashe 27 Not a slop of a ropehaler they send forth to the Queenes ships, but hee is first broken to the Sea in the Herring mans Skiffe. 1640–1 Robert Adman [of Wye] rope-layer. 1723 No. 6186/10 William Buckland,..Ropespinner. 1723 No. 6187/4 James Cleaver,..Rope-Weaver. 1801 T. S. Surr I. 125 Her Ladyship is the best rope-skipper we have. 1841 XX. 154/2 Some of the principal rope-manufacturers of Great Britain. 1887 P. McNeill 121 Straight to my companion went the rope-bearers. 1954 25 Mar. 2/4 (advt.) Public sale of contractor's equipment... Wire rope cutter; ¼ ratchet punch; [etc.]. 2004 10 Sept. 24/2 The story starts in 1843 with the author's great-great-great-grandfather, Thomas Francis Larter, a rope spinner. 1635 W. Saltonstall tr. G. Mercator 167 The Moscovites do send into all parts of Europe excellent Hempe and Flaxe for rope-making, many Oxe-hides, and great store of Waxe. 1717 W. Sutherland 262 The Art of Rope-making or Spinning, is very extensive. 1791 J. Bentham i. Postscr. 162 Any rope-making legislator, or any legislator's rope-making friend. 1815 W. Kirby & W. Spence (1818) I. xiii. 406 A process more singular than that of rope-spinning. 1835 A. Ure 62 Rope-making and wire-working belong also to this head. 1847 J. O. Halliwell II. (at cited word) The ancient custom of rope-pulling is always strictly observed in Ludlow on Shrove Tuesday. 1861 T. McCombie 193 Another death from rope-breaking occurred on the Terrible lead. 1886 XX. 846/1 An American rope-laying machine is in use. 1886 XX. 846/1 They receive no foretwist in the rope-closing apparatus. 1903 (Admiralty) i. 30 For rope climbing the class will be formed up about 4 paces from the ropes. 1926 17 July 10/2 Mr. Ash..had plenty of thrills among the Mexican bandits and cattle thieves, during which time he became expert with the revolver, the lasso, and rope spinning. 1969 G. E. Evans xi. 126 This saddler's shop, with ‘a rope-spinning ground’ behind it was sold by auction in July 1875 at the Lion Inn, Debenham. 2005 20 Jan. 48/4 ‘Punk-rope’ is 45 minutes of fast rope-jumping set to hardcore punk music. 1680 R. L'Estrange tr. Erasmus xx. 255 He would take Care that this Tribe of Half-shod and Rope-girt People [L. cinctorum fune populus] should never fail. a1777 F. Fawkes tr. Apollonius Rhodius (1780) i. 54 Here the rope-fasten'd stone they heave on shore, Which serv'd as anchor to the ship before. 1839 J. Lindley (ed. 3) 450 Rope-shaped,..formed of coarse fibres resembling cords. c1860 H. Stuart (rev. ed.) 37 They have the advantage of rope-stropt leading blocks. 1876 M. Collins II. 22 A huge brown rope-muscled hand. 1892 D. B. W. Sladen xxvi Pilgrims of every degree, from the rope-shod pauper, to the swaggering plutocrat. 1907 28 Dec. 6/3 The sahib..reclining on the rude rope-strung bedstead. 1920 Apr. 507/2 He was dressed quaintly in well-washed dungarees,..a gaudy waist-cloth, rope-soled shoes [etc.]. 1957 A. Clarke 23 Rope-swung victims ring that bell. 2005 S. Rushdie 79 He should be carried up into the garden in a jewelled palanquin borne on the shoulders of wiry rope-sandalled men; why then was he on foot? C3. 1828 C. S. Rafinesque I. 158 Dirca Palustris... Vulgar Names—Leatherwood, Moosewood, Swampwood, Ropebark. 1913 N. L. Britton & A. Brown (ed. 2) II. 575 Dirca palustris... American mezereon. Rope-bark. The bark produces violent vomiting; applied externally it is an irritant to the skin. 2002 R. Darke 245 Also known as wicopy and ropebark, Dirca palustris has laughably pliable branches which can be literally tied into knots without splitting or cracking. society > occupation and work > equipment > lifting or hoisting equipment > [noun] > winch or capstan > drum or barrel of 1797 J. Curr 30 The two rope barrels..are fixed in two inclining board gates, on which the corves pass, which are divided by a pillar of coal 4 yards thick. 1811 J. Farey in W. H. Marshall (1817) IV. 110 A turn-tree, or rope-barrel, for winding up the Ore in small tubs. 1904 E. C. R. Marks (ed. 3) vii. 37 The heavier loads are lifted by turning the rope barrel shaft with the crab handles. 1988 I. Krogstad in E. Bratteland 406 (Gloss.) Drum, Barrel, Coiling drum, Rope drum, Rope barrel, a cylinder flanged at both ends. When used the rope is fixed and stored on it. the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > edge, border, or margin > [noun] > that which forms the edge or border > resembling rope society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > ornamental art and craft > pattern or design > [noun] > curves or spirals society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > architecture > architectural ornament > [noun] > moulding > string-course or -moulding 1855 17 Dec. 6/1 Stolen..one oval onyx rope border pin. 1897 xxiv. 201 A very simple cornice..composed of the conventional ‘egg and dart’ and ‘rope’ borders. 1912 T. Okey ix. 100 The Rope Border—This, a modification of the plaited border, may be carried out by numbering six stakes in succession and doubling the first two. 1953 A. G. Knock (ed. 5) 26 The simplest and smallest rope border was used on the oval buff shopping basket. 1993 Sept. 28/2 Both colourwash and dragging techniques were used on the walls, while a rope border at ceiling height was created using colours mixed to resemble the leather and gold trim edging the tiny shelf tucked under the stairs. society > occupation and work > industry > mining > [noun] > other specific mining processes 1852 W. W. Smyth in I. i. 117 The Chinese well-borers..have succeeded..in attaining the extraordinary depth of 3,000 feet, by their simple and inexpensive apparatus of rope-boring. 1888 II. 331/2 The rope-boring machinery of Mather and Platt of Salford..is in extensive use. 2005 R. D. Singh iii. 76 Rope boring was widely used for oil well drilling in which they raised a heavy blunt chisel type of bit jumping on the end of a cable. 1830 28 317/2 A rope breeching is apt to break, and has often proved dangerous; for the gun, with a breeching, goes nearly as far back as the rope will stretch. 1856 ‘Stonehenge’ 79/1 The former size [of gun] may be used with a rope-breeching, which is attached to the bows of the punt. 1952 Jan. 18/1 Fifteen minutes sufficed to strip the green canvas-cover from the breech of the long gun mounted in the punt.., to adjust the rope-breeching for recoil, and to stow away the cripple-stoppers. 2006 S. Tucker ii. 58 On ‘fire’ he sharply pulled the lanyard, which fired the gun and caused the gun and its carriage to recoil sharply back on its rope breeching. society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > material for making paper > paper > [noun] > shade or strength of papers 1891 J. Hughes v. ii. 279 It appears that much of the paper sold as Rope Brown is made from this grass [sc. tiwi grass]. 1908 R. W. Sindall vi. 27 Rope browns are common papers made of fairly strong material of a miscellaneous character, this name having been derived from the fact that rope and similar fibre were at one time used exclusively. 1914 E. A. Dawe xvii. 115 Brown wrapping papers are made of various materials and in many qualities and substances. Rope browns, air-dried, cylinder-dried are three kinds. 1955 S. C. Gilmour xxii. 251 The thickness of a quality such as Rope Brown would appear to the touch to be much in excess of the same substance in an M. G. Pure Kraft. the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > [noun] > scratch or graze 1880 12 Aug. (advt.) It is the first and only remedy ever discovered that will undoubtedly cure all sore shoulders, sore backs, cuts, kicks, rope burns, scratches, grease, and open sores of any kind on horses. 1905 July 415/1 Before we left that camp Rodney and Sue were sleek and fat, and my bruises and rope-burns were healed. 1948 W. Faulkner vii. 159 A big saddleless black mule with a rope-burn on its neck. 2001 27 Jan. (Weekend Suppl.) p. III/7 Circus people accept pain as an occupational hazard. The problem with this is that they tend to give almost no warning about trapeze bruises and rope burns. 1867 June 712/1 Here,..is the rope-chain, as we call it, although it is really formed of links and rivets. 2005 Oct. 293/1 I felt like my life was better than theirs. You mighta had a rope chain but so did I. society > occupation and work > industry > manufacturing processes > rope-making > [noun] 1480 W. Worcester in J. Nasmith (1778) 167 Le domum de rope-crafft. 1918 F. Riesenberg (1919) 126 We do know that the rope craft of the sea is standard and defies improvement. 1998 May 110/1 Unless you never sail out of your depth, and/or on a pond only ten foot across, you should be at least reasonably conversant with this basic ropecraft. society > armed hostility > drill or training > [noun] > type of drill or training 1833 J. S. Doyle 11 Great advantage would be derived from adopting the Skeleton or Rope Drill, as by means of it the young Officers and Non-commissioned Officers may be taught the battalion movements. 1844 295 Squad or Light Infantry Drill;..Rope Drill, &c. 1908 C. Clarke xiv. 125 Other western volunteers acquired a good knowledge of military matters..and, through the use of rope drill, gained some idea of battalion movements. the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > thread or yarn > [noun] > silk > for sewing or embroidery 1895 Spring & Summer 90/3 Rope Embroidery Silk..very coarse. 1897 No. 104. 321/2 Corticelli Rope Embroidery Silk..A course [sic] silk, for bold designs..when rapid work is required. 1930 17 Oct. 13/1 12 skeins of jade rope embroidery silk. society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > vessel for transporting people or goods > [noun] > ferry > types of 1755 (new ed.) I. viii. 468 A rope ferry over Nahantick gut. 1788 M. Cutler Jrnl. 1 Aug. in W. P. Cutler & J. P. Cutler (1888) I. 399 It is a rope-ferry. 1897 29 564/1 To cross the river by the old rope ferry. 1917 21 Feb. 5/6 His gallantry in crossing the Rio Grande..on a small bamboo raft, under heavy fire, and establishing a rope ferry. 1996 J. Brown (ed. 3) 202 There's a rope-ferry between the two, a twenty-second crossing on a wooden, flat-bottomed boat pulled by two villagers. 1776 W. Withering I. 48 Ropegrass with a simple nodding panicle, and the blossoms not fringed—Panicle red... Purple melic grass... In the Isle of Rasa they make this grass into ropes for fishing nets. 1848 J. Craig Rope-grass, the common name of the plants of the genus Restio, from the supple shoots of many of the species being used as withes at the Cape of Good Hope. 1877 28 Apr. 118/2 The man-eater had killed an adventurous dhobi, or washerman, who had presumed to lay aside his hereditary trade and go cutting rope grass on the hills. 2007 R. Darke 224 Ampelodesmos mauritanicus... Vine reed, Mauritania vine reed, rope grass... The generic and common names of this plant refer to the early use of this plant to tie grapevines. society > occupation and work > workplace > place where specific things are made > [noun] > rope 1665 S. Pepys 13 Feb. (1972) VI. 34 Thence I..by water (taking Mr. Stapely the rope-maker by the way) to his rope-ground. 1799 21 Dec. 1/1 To enter into partnership in a Rope-Ground. 1841 XX. 154/1 Spinning rope-yarns..in the rope-ground, or rope-walk. 1845 P. Barlow Manuf. in VIII. 755/1 The yarn reels were placed individually in a stationary frame at the head of the rope-ground. 1907 Sept. 748 She went daily to the rope-ground, and at night she loitered about the street corners, or sat in a public-house bar. the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > horse defined by purpose used for > [noun] > for riding > ridden by one roping an animal 1890 24 Aug. 27/4 A dexterous turn, known only to the experienced ‘rope horse’. 1944 R. F. Adams (1945) 131/2 When running an animal to be roped, the educated rope horse knows when the cowboy takes down his rope and what is expected of him. 2000 May–June 15/3 I was very involved in competing at team roping, so I trained Plumber to be a rope horse. society > authority > punishment > capital punishment > hanging > [noun] 1592 W. Warner (rev. ed.) vii. xxxvii. 169 Both did fault in one same ill, Yeat rope-law had the Youth, the Fryar liu'd Clergie-knaued still. 1846 12 113/1 But I'll have him hanged, as his uncle was, if there's rope-law in Georgia! 2003 G. McCaughrean 44 Jack Shakespeare preferred his workers violent and unthinking. Let them once stoop to Rope Law and they would be in his power ever after. society > authority > punishment > capital punishment > hanging > [noun] 1611 R. Cotgrave Demisaut, a halfe-leape; also, the roape-leape, or some mens last-leape. 1850 11 ii. 728 Dry walls, built 4 feet high at 1d. a foot (20d. per rope length). 1896 S. W. Robinson xxii. 254 Ingenious compensating devices are in use to provide for the variation in rope length. 1973 27 296/2 Every article made by the Kwakiutl was precisely measured in finger widths, hand spans, or rope lengths to a standardized size and shape. 1993 1 Aug. (Image) 14/1 The route we are starting up consists of 32 pitches, or rope-lengths, of vertical cracks and is called the Triple Direct. 1750 G. Hughes 199 It is called the Rope-Mangrove, from the Use that is made of the Bark of it to make Ropes or Halters for Cattle. 1803 40 395 Rope mangrove is a most healthy nutritive food for sheep, and some cows are fond of it. 2005 M. M. Grandtner 899/1 Talipariti tiliaceum..rope mangrove; seabiscus (USA). society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > architecture > architectural ornament > [noun] > moulding > other mouldings 1813 J. Laskey 76 A figure resembling a recumbent fleur de lis is partly formed by the outline of their necks; and in the centre a tablet enclosed by a rope moulding. 1875 W. McIlwraith 103 Quaint pepper-box turrets, rope mouldings, crow-stepped gables. 1921 17 Aug. 5/2 A rope moulding runs around the base of the bowl, but the rim above is plain. 2001 51 109 (caption) On left a rope moulding and an egg-and-dart moulding. 1810 R. Parkinson II. vi. 278 Who have not a heap of malt, I would advise to take, as the best method, strong rope paper, paste it together, and inclose the flitch. 1888 C. T. Jacobi 115 Rope paper, strong packing paper of various sizes made largely of old rope. 1996 (Nexis) 14 June (Arts) 69 Its 10-by-10-foot ‘environment’ is crafted from acid-free rope paper. 1787 J. Watt Let. 8 Aug. in J. P. Muirhead (1854) II. 222 I once thought of making it work a rope-pump. 1807 T. Young I. 779/2 (caption) Fig. 299. The rope pump of Vera, for raising water by means of friction: the rope is kept stretched by a pulley under the water, which is loaded with a weight, and slides in a groove. 1815 J. Smith II. 146 A rope pump, which consists of a rope rapidly revolving over two pulleys, one of which is at the top and the other in the water of the well. 1996 J. P. Gee et al. (new ed.) vi. 143 Santiago, the illiterate refiner of rope pump components..worked as a security guard six and a half days a week in a city supermarket. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > quoits > games resembling quoits > [noun] > object thrown 1876 Sept. 318/2 I wish you would come and persuade Captain Jimmy to make us some of those rope quoits you were speaking of. 1893 F. F. Moore xii He went amidships to where a game of rope quoits was being played. 1943 D. Welch xiv. 109 From morning till night the rope quoit flew backwards and forwards against the solid blue sky. 2006 (Nexis) 23 July (features) 3 You'll pay £25 for this Deluxe Quoits set by John Jaques. It has a hardwood mahogany frame with rope quoits and regency pegs. 1892 J. Nasmith xii. 400 In arranging the blowing rooms it is now customary to separate them from the main building by the rope race. 1925 J. Grant (new ed.) xix. 243 The flywheels of such engines are usually grooved for a number of ropes, radiating in the rope-race to all the main power shafts of the mill. 1999 (Nexis) 26 Feb. An original rope race converts the steam power into energy driving the machinery on all five floors of the factory. society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > vehicle travelling on or by cable > [noun] > cableway or cable railway 1849 H. Law II. iv. 37 In order to obviate this objection, a very ingenious modification of the rope railway has been suggested by Mr. Elijah Galloway. 1889 68 454/1 Rope railways, as they were called, or ropeways, for transmitting minerals and goods, seem to be rapidly growing in favour, especially for mining purposes. 1951 117 7 The Peak Tram, an electrically operated rope railway..played a similar role in the development of the hill district. 2008 (Nexis) 2 Dec. 3 (caption) A Redcoat and a camper enjoy a ride in the Butlins rope railway high above the camp at Barry Island. 1596 T. Nashe Ep. Ded. sig. C2 Vtterly thou bewrayest thy non-proficiencie in the Doctors Paracelsian rope-rethorique. 1884 29 Oct. The dead were fully identified by friends and are as follows:..H. J. Sape, rope rider, married. 1903 23 May 392/2 In soft-coal mines the man in charge of the cable train is called a rope rider. In bringing his cars out of the mine he sits upon the ring which connects the cable with the train. a1974 B. L. Coombes in B. Jones & C. Williams (1999) iii. 49 The engine driver had pulled them to the required place and the ten loaded trams waited, fast to the steel rope, for the other rope rider to take them back to the main engine house. 2008 (Nexis) 18 May (Travel section) 1 A rope rider goes up and down the mines all day long, riding coal cars controlled by steel cables (called ropes) by a surface hoist. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > boxing > [noun] > ring 1808 32 32/2 By eleven o'clock a rope ring was formed, and the combatants were every moment expected to make their appearance. 1813 41 40 A stand up fight in a twenty feet rope-ring. 1919 E. Booth ii. 61 It was early dusk and a crowd was gathered about where a rope ring fenced off the place in which a boxing match had been held the day before. 2000 L. Kleypas (new ed.) 151 If you have lead feet in the rope ring, there's no way to duck and dodge. society > occupation and work > equipment > lifting or hoisting equipment > [noun] > winch or capstan > drum or barrel of 1811 J. Farey I. 323 For shallow Shafts, a Stowse, Turn-beam, or Turn-tree, which is a rope-roll with winch-handles for Men to work, is erected over the Shaft. 1838 N. Wood (ed. 3) 255 The train, on one side, is drawn up, and, passing underneath the rope roll, descends the opposite plane, unwinding the rope from the roll. 1954 21 58 The first recorded departure from winding coal by horse gins in Cumberland was made at George Pit, Whitehaven, where, on the same shaft as the rope rolls, an overshot water-wheel..was erected. 2004 Z. Agócs et al. vi. 366 Thimbles for rope rolls of diameter D > 12d should be used instead. the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > roguery > rogue > [noun] > worthy of hanging > but has escaped society > morality > moral evil > wickedness > roguery, knavery, or rascalry > [noun] > rogue, knave, or rascal > worthy of hanging > escaped hanging a1625 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Coxcombe ii. iii, in (1647) sig. Nn4v/1 Stand further friend, I doe not like your roperunners. 1885 26 Dec. 399/2 Summat went wrong with the little tipping-engine..because the engine-driver had been havin' too much beer, and his rope-runner weren't up to driving stiddy. 1891 20 July 7/1 There were three men on each of the two locomotives—a driver, a fireman, and a rope-runner. 2008 (Nexis) 13 June Half of his time was spent on the top, in the classroom, and the other half underground learning how to get coal. His early work was as a ‘rope runner’, tying tubs to a seemingly endless rope. 1839 A. Ure 982 Inclined-plane machines, which are moved either by vertical rope-barrels, or horizontal rope-sheaves. 1913 F. A. Halsey 132/1 The cross-sections of rope sheaves used by the Plymouth Cordage Co. are shown. 2007 V. B. Bhandari (ed. 2) xxiii. 815/2 Rope sheaves and rope drums should be as large as possible to obtain maximum rope life. society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > playing instruments > bell-ringing > [noun] > facility in 1877 17 Nov. 732/1 A fair amount of practice is also necessary to obtain the quickness of eye—called ‘rope-sight’—to work among the other ropes, in changes. 1902 XXVI. 521/1 He [sc. the bellringer] has to bear in mind,..what bell or bells are striking immediately before or after him—this being ascertained chiefly by ‘ropesight’ i.e., the knack..of seeing which rope is being pulled immediately before and after his own. 1956 G. E. Evans xviii. 143 The science of change-ringing is something of a mystery to the layman... ‘It's all right once you get rope-sight,’ one old ringer confided. 2001 23 Mar. 306/3 About 12 months ago I managed to learn to treble to a plain course of Bob Minor. Once I got to this stage I seemed to get stuck as I had no rope sight and only knew it by numbers. 1880 L. Higgin i. 4 ‘Embroidery’, or Bobbin Silk..is manufactured in what is technically called ‘rope’, that is, with about twelve strands in each thread. When not ‘rope’ silk, it is in single strands, and is then called ‘fine’ silk. 1925 Apr. 29/1 The modish tassel-like ornament is made of strands of green rope silk bound together with a band of straw braid. 1950 430/1 Rope silk, an embroidery silk thread consisting of singles doubled into threads and these doubles again doubled to form a strong thread. the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > sewn or ornamented textile fabric > [noun] > embroidery or ornamental sewing > stitch > other 1875 July 72/2 The foundation frame-work thus established has then to be worked over with close buttonhole or rope stitch. 1899 E. T. Masters 81 Knotted rope stitch is effective for coarse outlines. 1932 D. C. Minter 55/2 Chain, pekinese, appliqué, Portuguese border and rope stitch..are useful for working this type of letter. 2006 (Nexis) 12 June 66 He launched his eponymous rock & roll-influenced line that became popular for its signature ‘rope stitch’—an exaggerated topstitch that Serfontaine often renders in an array of colored and metallic threads. 1800 I. xxxi. 156 Our common rope swing is universally known in Russia. 1909 D. C. Beard 126 Every boy knows how to make a rope swing by tying a rope to an out-stretching limb and putting a board seat at the bottom loop. 1960 A. H. Lewis vi. 36 We used to climb the tree, sit on the knot, jump out, swing over the water, then drop off... We were taking turns on the rope swing. 2004 (Nexis) 3 Mar. (Features section) 18 Then came the rope swing. Sgt Turner urged me to keep my legs up and sit on the knot. 1936 D. Moffat in Jan. 31/1 The current ideal is not one or two perfect runs a day..but as many runs as possible at the greatest speed attainable, preferably with the uphill part accomplished by means of a rope tow. 1965 25 Dec. 1416/3 In the [United States] National Forests there are 199 developed winter sports sites equipped with 164 chair lifts..312 rope tows and 48 ski jumps. 1978 W. F. Buckley xv. 147 He found it irresponsible that his thoughts should turn to skiing, which he longed to attempt in the lofty Alps after several winters of rope tows in Vermont during hectic weekends away from Yale. 2004 Feb. 52/1 In 1947 the Town of Lake Pleasant opened the ski area... There were two rope tows and a T-bar. society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > ropes or chains other than rigging or cable > [noun] > rope collective or as material > yarn used for 1719 D. Defoe 64 Small Ropes and Rope-twine. 1719 D. Defoe 103 One of the English Men, with a Piece of Rope-Twine..ty'd his two Feet fast together. 1811 Oct. 133 There is another circumstance in which navy canvas is deficient, namely, that the rope twine, with which the Navy Board is supplied, is at too low a price. 1916 T. J. Foster 255 The tools required for splicing wire ropes..two short hemp-rope slings, with a stick for each as a lever; a wooden mallet and some rope twine. 1994 M. Palmer & P. Neaverson (2002) v. 95 Fine linen thread was produced from the flax plant and coarser sacking, hessians and rope twine from hemp and jute. 1826 J. C. Loudon (new ed.) ii. iv. 364 The straw rope twister or twisting crook, is used for twisting straw ropes, and consists of a stick or rod from two to three feet long..either naturally or artificially crooked.] 1831 J. C. Loudon (new ed.) ii. iv. 372 The essential agricultural tools are the pick, spade, shovel, dung and hay-fork, hay-rake, common hand-hoe, rope-twister, and besom. 1844 H. Stephens III. 969 A hay-rope, twisted on the spot..with a rope-twister or thraw-crook. 1931 G. Goodwin 20 Oct. in (2000) xvi. 150 There is one pack saddle, one pommel and horn of a riding saddle, one rope twister, three other worked sticks, use unknown. 1999 19 Aug. 8/1 (advt.) Estate Sale..rope twister with wood bob, leather marker, metal Fordson tool box [etc.]. society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > acrobatic performance > [noun] > acrobat > rope-walker or dancer 1611 J. Sylvester in tr. G. de S. Du Bartas (new ed.) Index sig. Iii3v Funambulant, a Rope-walker. 1615 G. Sandys 77 Grammarian, painter, rope walker—All knowes The needy Greek—bid go to heaven, he goes. 1862 E. A. Hall Diary 2 Jan. in O. A. Sherrard (1966) ii. 289 Spent an hour at the Crystal Palace and saw the rope-walker, Blondin. 1942 E. Sitwell 11 We watched the sonambulists, rope-walkers, argonauts. 2001 Nov. 51/1 There was a very interesting story to be told about this young loner who had learned the art of the funambule (literally, ‘rope walker’) all by himself as a teenager. society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > acrobatic performance > [noun] > rope-walking or dancing 1625 S. Purchas III. Alphabet. Table sig. ggg1v Rope-walking admirably in the West Indies. 1861 31 Aug. 538/1 Rope-dancing..has returned to primitive rope-walking and rope-running again. 1890 B. Hall vi. 63 The usual attraction was ‘Professor Etherio, the flying man’, who did a rope-walking act. 2008 (National ed.) 30 Sept. c17/2 Chongo earned respect as a journeyman climber, with accomplishments like rope-walking on the Lost Arrow Spire. society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > vehicle travelling on or by cable > [noun] > cableway or cable railway 1665 5 Jan. in (P.R.O.: SP 29/110/29) f. 40 Touching cordage..wee know not how to set more men at worke in ye ground wee have... Ye only way yt I can advise is forth with to perfect ye new ropeway..& to erect a slight house of deals... This will enable vs to spin & lay halfe as much again as now wee can. 1824 18 May 3/6 They could not bear to let so inviting a thing as a rope-way out of prison lie idle. 1889 68 454/1 Rope railways, as they were called, or ropeways, for transmitting minerals and goods, seem to be rapidly growing in favour, especially for mining purposes. 1928 7 Aug. 8/5 Next week's programme includes instruction in the use of heavy derricks and aerial ropeways. 1941 ‘R. West’ II. 925 If you have to have a rope-way, you have to have Germans... All the decent funiculars in the world are made by a German company. 1950 tr. (Assoc. Brit. Members Swiss Alpine Club) x. 116 To transport loads, injured people or materials over precipices, ravines, large crevasses or torrents, where possible fix a rope over the obstacle..the anchorage at the ends of a ropeway should be firm enough to meet all eventualities. 1963 30 Nov. 911/1 Aerial ropeways and chairlifts can be pretty profitable. 1991 Spring 48/4 The local butcher-grocer arrived every day and sent down his load by the ropeway. the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > climbing or creeping plants > [noun] > bindweed or convolvulus 1598 J. Florio Volucchio, the herbe called withi-wind, weed-bind or roap-weed. 1649 C. Hoole 173 Rope-weed, Lævis smilax. Pricking-rope-weed, Aspera smilax. 1710 W. King (1722) xxvii. 134 The Ivy, the Smilax, or Ropeweed,..were the Vegetables that he [sc. Bacchus] delighted in. 1796 H. Hunter tr. J.-H. B. de Saint-Pierre III. 235 Different species of ropeweed produce the same harmonies on various species of high gramineous plants. 1839 C. H. Waterman 65 This small pink flower..is so common and so troublesome as to have made a name for itself in all rural vocabularies; among others it is known as Weed-bind, Rope-weed, Bell-bind, [etc.]. 1915 June 256 It is known as the morning-glory, wayside cup,..rope-weed, and devil's garter. 1856 A. Pratt IV. 17 Field Bindweed..has many country names, as Ropewind, Withywind. 1920 W. E. Brenchley xiii. 212 Convolvulus arvensis... Lily-bind, rope-wind, sheep-bine, [etc.]. 1906 215 Tarentum Paper Mills..Rope wrapping paper; paper flour and cement sacks.] 1937 E. J. Labarre 95/2 Acid proof paper is generally wood Manilla, Kraft or Rope Wrapping which has been treated to resist acids or acid fumes. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, November 2010; most recently modified version published online June 2022). ropen.2 Origin: Apparently a word inherited from Germanic. Etymology: Apparently cognate with Middle Dutch roppe , rop the entrails of fish, chiefly as waste (Dutch rop , rob stomach and intestines of fish and hence other animals and humans), of uncertain origin; perhaps < the same Germanic base as Middle Low German roppen to pluck (see ripe v.2). In β. forms probably identified (folk-etymologically, probably on account of the resemblance in shape) with rope n.1 and hence assimilated to this word in spelling and pronunciation.The initial hr- in the Old English form hrop is a reverse spelling (see discussion at R n.). Surv. Eng. Dial. records pronunciations indicative of α. forms from Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, and Leicestershire, and of β. forms from Cheshire, Staffordshire, and Suffolk. Now chiefly regional. the world > life > the body > digestive or excretive organs > digestive organs > intestines > [noun] eOE Cleopatra Gloss. in W. G. Stryker (Ph.D. diss., Stanford Univ.) (1951) 178 Extalibus, roppum. eOE (Royal) (1865) ii. xxxi. 230 Sum cyn bið..þære ilcan adle on þære wambe & on þam roppe & smæl þearmum þe þis bið to tacne, þæt hie þrowiað ormætne þurst. OE (1955) 60 Colum, hrop. a1333 (BL Add.) (1929) 159 (MED) Roppes [glossing Fr. bovele]. 1340 (1866) 62 (MED) Þe lyeȝere..is ase þe gamelos þet leueþ by þe eyr and naȝt ne heþ ine his roppes bote wynd. c1400 (?c1380) l. 270 He glydes in by þe giles..Relande in by a rop, a rode þat hym þoȝt. a1475 J. Russell Bk. Nurture (Harl. 4011) in (2002) i. 150 Fried mete þat stoppes and distemperethe alle þe body, bothe bak, bely, & roppes. a1500 (?c1440) J. Lydgate Horse, Goose & Sheep (Lansd.) l. 383 in (1934) ii. 555 (MED) Of the Sheep is cast a-way no thyng..For harp strynges his roppis serue echon. 1530 J. Palsgrave 263/2 Ropes in the small guttes. a1576 L. Nowell (1952) 140/2 Roppa, extalia. Lanc. roppes, the guttes of foules. 1673 J. Ray S. & E. Countrey Words in 59 In the South the Guts prepared and cut out for Black Puddings or Links are called Ropes. 1688 R. Holme ii. vii. 132/2 Sheeps Belly, or Intrels, the puddings called strings, or Rope. a1728 W. Kennett (BL Lansdowne MS 1033) f. 328 The guts of fowls are calld raps in Kent. a1793 G. White Observ. Birds in (1802) II. 176 The entrails..might have been dressed like the ropes of a woodcock. 1819 ‘P. Bobbin’ 17 Meh bally..mede sich o' feerfo noise like us if they'dn bin tunnink drink int' me rops. 1871 23 Dec. 771/2 Putrid cheese, Chapzugar cheese, brown cod-liver oil, the ‘ropes’ of a woodcock, and the contents of a lobster's gizzard. 1910 (U.S. Dept. Commerce & Labor) 42 109 Two large Lancashire boilers for supplying hot water and steam for all purposes connected with the slaughtering of cattle and treatment of tripe, ropes, etc. 1962 H. Orton & W. J. Halliday I. i. 311 Q[uestion]. What do you call the small intestines of a pig?.. [Lancashire, Yorkshire] Ropps. 2006 C. Frazier ii. ii. 80 Instead of mercifully shooting the dog, Bear cupped the wet pink-and-blue ropes in his palms, spilled them back inside, and stitched the bleeding belly back together. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, November 2010; most recently modified version published online March 2022). † ropen.3Origin: A word inherited from Germanic. Etymology: Cognate with Middle Dutch roep (Dutch roep ), Old High German ruof (Middle High German ruof , German Ruf ), Old Icelandic hróp , Old Swedish rop (Swedish rop ), Danish råb , Gothic hrops < the same Germanic base as rope v.1 Compare also from the same base (with suffix forming nouns: see -t suffix3) Old Frisian hrōft shout, call, the act of shouting, Old High German hruoft, ruoft clamour, the act of shouting (Middle High German ruoft).In the following quot. the manuscript reading koupe makes little sense; it is possible that a form of rope (which accords well with both rhyme and sense) may represent the original reading:c1330 Seven Sages (Auch.) (1933) l. 1051 Þer he fond his emperice, Wiȝ lourand chere..Hond wringging and loude koupe [perh. read roupe], And here visage al biwope. In Old English the prefixed form gehrōp (compare y- prefix) is also attested. Obsolete. the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > cry or shout (loudness) > [noun] > outcry or clamour the mind > emotion > suffering > sorrow or grief > lamentation or expression of grief > cry of grief > [noun] OE 185 On þa neoþemestan helle witu, þær biþ a wop & hrop & toþa gristbitung. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1963) 6258 Þer wes wop, þer wes rop [c1300 cri] & reoðen vnimete. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1978) 10943 Þis iherde Arður..þesne wop & þesne rop. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, November 2010; most recently modified version published online December 2020). † ropev.1Origin: A word inherited from Germanic. Etymology: Cognate with Old Frisian hrōpa, rōpa, Old Dutch ruopan (Middle Dutch roepen, Dutch roepen), Old Saxon hrōpan (Middle Low German rōpen), Old High German hruofan (Middle High German ruofen, German rufen), Old Icelandic hrópa, Old Swedish ropa (Swedish ropa), Old Danish rabæ (Danish råbe), further etymology uncertain and disputed: probably ultimately of imitative origin. Compare also from the same base (with different suffix) Old English hrēpan to call, cry out, Old Saxon -rōpian (in anarōpian to address; Middle Low German rȫpen to call, shout, to summon), Old High German hruofen to call, shout (Middle High German rüefen), Old Icelandic hrœpa to defame, Old Swedish röpa to call (Swedish †röpa), Old Danish røpe to accuse (Danish røbe), Gothic hropjan to call, shout.In Old English a strong verb of Class VII; a prefixed form behrōpan to importune, pester with demands (compare be- prefix) is also attested. It is unclear whether the late Middle English examples belong here or at roup v.1 Obsolete. the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > cry or exclamation > cry or exclaim [verb (intransitive)] OE 906 Næs seo stund latu earmra gæsta, ne þæt onbid long, þæt þa wrohtsmiðas wop ahofun, hreopun hreðlease, hleoþrum brugdon. OE (1932) cxlvi. 10 Se þe mete syleð..hrefnes briddum, þonne heo hropende him cigeað to [L. pullis corvorum invocantibus eum]. a1250 (?a1200) (Titus) (1963) 117 Wið þus anwil hailsinge Ropes [Cleo. ropeð, Caius roped; Nero weopeð; Corpus Cambr. halseð] after sum help to wrecche mesaise. a1425 (?c1350) (1964) 242 Lions, beres, bath bul and bare, Þat rewfully gan rope and rare. c1450 (a1425) (Selden) 11233 (MED) Full rudly þen þei rope and rare on þer mawment to mend þer mode. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, November 2010; most recently modified version published online December 2020). ropev.2Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: rope n.1 Etymology: < rope n.1 Compare Middle Low German rēpen, reipen to measure with a rope (as a standard measurement), Old Icelandic reipa to fasten with a rope.Compare Old English rǣpan to bind, fasten, make captive ( < the same Germanic base as rope n.1). 1. society > occupation and work > industry > working with tools or equipment > fastening > fasten [verb (transitive)] > with rope, cord, or line a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 24023 (MED) Vn-reufulli þai can him raipe [Coll. Phys. raip], Ful snoberli him for to snaipe. c1465 (Yale Beinecke 163) f. 52v Rope his [sc. the horse's] leggis wyth hey a dai and this wolle make hym hele. a1500 in W. L. Braekman (1986) 80 (MED) For a gorge in the legges: A gorge..maketh his legges to swelle..þerfore, ye must..rope his legges wt a softe rope, and hay ywette in colde water. ?1518 sig. C.j Some roped ye hoke some ye pompe and some ye launce. 1610 G. Markham ii. cx. 391 Then rope his legs with a soft rope of hay. 1639 T. de Gray ii. ix. 215 Rope up all his legges to the body, not suffering him to lye down. 1738 J. F. Fritsch tr. G. de Lairesse viii. ix. 411 He is seized and roped like an Ox for the Sacrifice. 1787 W. Marshall Provincialisms in II. 387 To Rope, to tedder; as a horse. 1856 E. K. Kane II. xvi. 169 Every bag was, in sailor-phrase, roped and becketed; in ordinary parlance, well secured by cordage. 1873 W. Black xxv. 417 The slain deer roped on to the pony. 1889 J. Abercromby 3 In less than half an hour the baggage was in, every thing roped tight and we were jolting at a rapid pace. 1939 July 88/2 Soldiers..support a wounded companion roped to a sled used as a stretcher. 1972 L. W. Tancock tr. E. Zola 52 Round at the back they were roping poor old sick grand-dad to a cupboard and carting him off like a piece of furniture. 2006 M. Drabble (2007) 133 The Kelmans drove away in their temperamental black Ford car with their suitcase roped on top. a1640 W. Fenner (1647) sig. C3 They goe to bed with their hearts roped to the world. 1862 J. Tyndall xi. 90 We skirt a pile of moraine-like matter, which is roped compactly together by the roots of the pines. 1945 W. S. Graham (1979) 31 All that I hold to water breaks With that in me my foam holds rigid Bound salt in sand and roped in roots. 1992 21 July c15/1 Sentences that seek to rope together the past and present and future through sheer verbal exuberance and authorial will. c. Mountaineering. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > mountaineering or climbing > mountaineer or climb [verb (transitive)] > climbing techniques 1855 W. G. Heathman x. 152 Two of the guides stepped courageously forward, after having been well roped, and crossed without any mishap. 1855 W. G. Heathman x. 163 By again roping themselves, as is the practice of all Alpine travellers on the snow, the difficulties and dangers which in their upward course seemed to multiply and abound, were now as readily dissipated and overpassed. 1862 J. Tyndall ii. 14 We accordingly rope ourselves, and advance along the edge of the fissure. 1871 L. Stephen ii. iv. 312 Guides have sometimes objected to rope a party together. 1902 June 124 It frequently happens that those who are roped last cannot see the leaders. 1976 D. Clark i. 8 Redruth was climbing solo on a pretty easy pitch... Silk was roped to a partner. 1996 P. Potterfield (2000) 27 All three were roped together to minimize danger from unseen crevasses. 1865 29 July 141/2 The question of roping or not roping is always a fertile source of discussion in the Alps. 1870 A. G. Girdlestone vi. 117 A little before eleven we roped and set off again, taking to the ice at once. 1894 G. M. Fenn I. 133 Shall we rope together? 1922 E. R. Eddison xii. 177 They roped at the foot of the glacier that came down from the saddle, some five thousand feet above them. 1925 17 41 We roped up at the foot of the rocks at ten o'clock and serious climbing began at once. 1950 T. Longstaff ii. 16 We struck the arête at seven fifteen and after a bite, roped up. 1965 A. Blackshaw vii. 198 The party should rope at the bottom of the first pitch of the climb. 2001 M. Twight (2002) 41 We traversed onto steeper, safer ground and roped up. 2. the world > matter > constitution of matter > density or solidity > viscosity > become viscous or thicken [verb (intransitive)] > form thread-like parts the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > precipitation or atmospheric moisture > rain > rain falls [verb (intransitive)] > rain heavily c1450 (?a1400) (Ashm.) l. 4176 (MED) Þan fell þar fra þe firmament as it ware fell sparkis, Ropand doun o rede fire, þan any rayn thikire. c1450 in W. R. Dawson (1934) 104 (MED) Late it seth wele till it wax towgh and that it rope and wax blake, and then take it off the fyre. 1565 A. Golding tr. Ovid i. f. 2v Then Isycles hunge roping downe. 1584 R. Scot xii. xxi. 281 It will rope like birdlime, that you maie wind it about a sticke. 1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny I. xi. xv If a man touch it, rope it wil and draw small slimie threds after it. 1644 G. Plattes in S. Hartlib (1655) 231 They put it into Coolers, and when it is well cooled it will rope like oyl. 1743 W. Ellis (ed. 2) III. 167 It causes..their Bread to rope as well as their Beer. 1750 W. Ellis 22 If Bread is kept in too moist a Place too long, it will rope, or hoar, or mould. a1844 F. Baily (1856) 181 By trying whether it will rope betwixt the finger and thumb. 1854 13 366 His syrups thicken (technically called roping). 1914 M. Maddocks xxxviii. 391 Place one cupful and a half of sugar with three tablespoonfuls of cream and a third of a cake of chocolate in a saucepan and boil until it will rope when poured from the spoon. 1924 E. S. Lumsden iv. 37 Mix and boil well for half an hour until it will ‘rope’ (when touched with a stick) like thick syrup. the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > longitudinal extent > [verb (transitive)] > lengthen > by drawing out 1798 R. Hamilton (ed. 2) II. 143 The servant who attended Dr. Munckley's patient, with the corner of a handkerchief, roped out the tough mucus adhering to his fauces. 1805 M. Lewis Jrnl. 16 Mar. in (1987) III. 314 The pounded glass by means of the paddle is then roped in cilindrical form arround the stick of clay. 1843 363 They dabbed the treacle into each other's eyes, and roped it over each other's shoulders. 1887 G. Meredith 9 Old Kraken roped his white moustache. 1910 ‘R. Dehan’ lviii. 512 The richly rippling, parted hair that was coiled and twisted and roped into a mass behind the small, delicate ears. 1920 No. 809. 6 As the process of decay continues the mass becomes viscid and..the viscidity is such that it is capable of being roped out into fine threads to a distance of 2 or 3 inches. 2007 L. Redhead xxxvii. 271 A woman with red hair roped into two thick plaits. 1944 E. Haycox viii. 96 A raw-boned heavy man with pure black moustaches roping down from either side of his mouth. 1990 A. L. Kennedy 73 There were lines and patterns of lights, all sparkling white and orange and roping through an irregular dark like random fire. 2004 E. Appell ix. 76 Muscles roped along the sides of her neck. 3. the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > enclosing or enclosure > enclose [verb (transitive)] > with ropes the world > space > relative position > closed or shut condition > close or shut [verb (transitive)] > shut up (a place) > with a barrier, fence, etc. 1621 M. Wroth 130 Hee found Rosindie fighting as hee had made walles of dead men of his owne killing, round about him..as a List roped in for the combate, which hee was in, with the young Phalerinus, Prince of Thessalonica. 1714 T. Parkyns (ed. 2) 61 It is agreed.., that some convenient piece of Ground..be..Rop'd in a round Ring, for the said Abraham Bull and David Cornish to Wrestle in. 1738 13 July The Ground will be rop'd round as usual. 1770 A. Young II. xv. 477 Another yard, with a way roped off as before. 1809 33 228 A thirty-feet ring, roped, was the field of blood. 1823 W. Scott II. iv. 97 Traversing..as limited a space of ground, as if it had been actually roped in for their pedestrian exercise. 1842 Jan. 466 A large area had been roped off in front of the wagon. 1866 19 July 3/2 The ground is roped out. 1921 A. Huxley xxviii. 298 It was the hour for the dancing..a space had been roped off. 1976 23 Nov. A section of the centre had to be roped off yesterday to enable schools to use the sports facilities. 2001 S. Brett (2002) xxxix. 266 She looked across at the gutted building, roped off by police tapes. the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > edge, border, or margin > boundary > bound or form boundary of [verb (transitive)] > fix boundary of 1862 E. W. Robertson App. B. 213 The conquered lands were ‘roped out’ in allotments amongst the conquerors. [Note] To mark out the allotments by a rope appears to have been an ancient custom. 1879 W. E. Hearn (new ed.) ix. 225 If it were an original settlement, the land was ‘roped out’ by the elders or the chief. 1912 K. Coman II. iv. ii. 177 As the Danes ‘roped out’ their arable lands in conquered Anglia, so these conquerors of the desert divided to each man his portion. 1921 W. Hawley in 1 313 The boundaries of its territory..subsist to our own day, defined almost as clearly as when first roped out by the first inhabitants. society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > shipbuilding and repairing > build a ship [verb (transitive)] > fit out or equip > rig > furnish with sails > sail-making operations 1790 J. Meares vii. 87 Two compleat new suits of sails were prepared, new roped, lined and middle stitched. 1838 S. Ellison 290 The ships to be rigged with light jury-masts, having the sails made of old light canvass, lightly roped. 1846 A. Young (at cited word) To rope a sail, is to sew the bolt-rope round its edges. 1882 G. S. Nares (ed. 6) 12 A square sail is roped on the after side. 1882 G. S. Nares (ed. 6) 130 All fore-and-aft sails are roped on the port side. 1953 Feb. 145/2 (caption) Sail is ‘roped’ with stainless-steel wire. 1994 E. Marino (2001) i. 18/1 When a sail is roped, the rope is held closest to the worker and against the port side of the sail. 5. society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restraint depriving of liberty > deprive of liberty by restraint [verb (transitive)] > take captive > with rope 1827 P. Cunningham I. 291 The young heifers in their first calf, too, ought to be broken in to milk, as, if that period is passed over, they are afterwards most untractable milkers:—by roping two or three times, they are soon taught to walk quietly up to the milking pail. 1841 7 245/2 The cow is roped and led out from the numerous herd, and the calf follows its dam. a1848 G. F. Ruxton (1849) i. 20 Maybe you'll get ‘roped’ (lasso'd) by a Rapaho afore mornin'. 1862 E. R. Chudleigh 17 Nov. (1950) 66 MacCluchey came..and branded etc. a lot of young horses. It is very hard work ropeing them. 1884 ‘R. Boldrewood’ xxi. 150 You could ‘rope’..any Clifton colt or filly, back them in three days, and within a week ride a journey. 1902 Dec. 208/2 Cowboys will rope and ride from four o'clock in the morning till dark. 1930 J. F. Dobie iii. 102 Every animal in the pen had been roped and led in necked to an old brindle ox. 1970 D. Brown vi. 139 They puzzled over what could be inside the houses, and one day a Cheyenne decided to rope one of the Iron Horses and pull it from the tracks. 1988 W. O. Mitchell viii. 168 I'm a pretty active fellow. I ride, I rope. He knew that from being out at the ranch. 2006 A. Davies i. 80 A rugged cowboy-hatted father is teaching his son..how to rope steers. 2006 ‘L. Burana’ xx. 241 You better grab a seat if you wanna watch us rope. the mind > possession > taking > seizing > catching or capture > catch or capture [verb (transitive)] 1877 in H. Asbury (1941) 90 Charles P has not been down to see his beloved since he roped that fellow to stand the drinks. 1890 18 Jan. 3/2 It is hoped they will succeed in roping a few of the thieves. 1916 W. A. Du Puy vi. 120 Peterson should be ‘roped’. That most effective, yet most difficult task of working into the confidence of a culprit and inducing him to lay his cards on the table, should be employed. 1924 D. Hammett in 1 Mar. 92/2 If she and Ledwich are stacked up against Boyd together, then we might as well get her safely placed before we tie into him. I don't want to pull him before night away, anyway. I got a date with him, and I want to try to rope him first. 1938 H. Asbury 271 Another who sometimes roped for the Elite was George W. Post, a notorious confidence man. 1954 A. White iii. ii. 140 Though we tend to marry young and like it. Once we're roped, we make reasonably good husbands and fathers. 2008 M. Allan 51 You found yourself a fine man... He is such a nice man. It's about time some girl roped him. 6. Originally and chiefly British Horse Racing. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > horse racing > ride horse in race [verb (transitive)] > actions of rider 1854 J. Mills 88 Our trainer had settled with my jockey that I should be ‘roped’, or in other words ‘pulled’, and consequently the event was no longer a matter of uncertainty to them. 1856 x. 46 The jockey, now struggling into the saddle, has had instructions given him beforehand, to ‘rope’ the favourite. 1867 ‘Ouida’ I. iii. 43 A jock who consented to rope a favourite at the Ducal. 1887 W. Black 311 They declare he roped Redhampton at Liverpool. 1912 C. Garvice (2008) xii. 83 Jasper Vermont bribed that miserable man to rope your horse. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > race [verb (intransitive)] > lose intentionally society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > horse racing > engage in horse racing [verb (intransitive)] > actions of rider 1874 (rev. ed.) 271 Rope, to lose a race of any kind purposely, to swindle one's backers or the public by means of a ‘cross’ or pre-arranged race, in which the best man or best horse is made to rope or run behind. 1887 14 Sept. 1203/1 In athletics the only men who can make it really worth while to ‘rope’ are the back-mark men. 1894 A. Morrison ii He wouldn't dare to rope under my very eyes. 1904 R. Thomas (rev. ed.) ii. 44 A racer is said to rope when he does not exert himself to the utmost, in order to make out that he is not so good a swimmer as he really is, that he may thus get an advantage in the next handicap for which he enters. 1998 P. Vasili iii. 39 The failure of runners to appear in betting lists, usually in response to an excessive handicap, sometimes signalled a decision to ‘rope’, rather than a simple reflection of bad form on the track. 7. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > mountaineering or climbing > mountaineer or climb [verb (intransitive)] > climbing techniques 1878 R. L. Stevenson in June 435 An Alpine climber roping over a peril. 1879 E. D. Mathews vii. 41 We..soon came to some very hard work, roping over the second current of Macacos, which we passed quite through by about 10 a.m. 1927 17 8 By..poling and roping through the higher rapids. 1935 D. Pilley vi. 122 This roping down..is a trick one gets used to. 1943 E. Shipton iv. 78 We reached a gap about 30 feet deep, and roped down into it. 1945 G. W. Young (ed. 4) iv. 152 Climbers, shy still of claiming it as a national practice, still struggle alternatively with ‘rappel’ and ‘Abseilung’, so as to put a wrapper..of dark foreign distinction about new methods of roping down. 1955 P. Bauer i. i. 22 We roped down with flashes of lightning as our only illumination. 1990 9 Oct. 1/2 Royal Marine commandos..seized an Iraqi sanction-busting tanker..after ‘roping down’ from a Lynx helicopter to the ship's deck. 2006 C. Willis ii. x. 194 Patey..had been killed in a rappelling accident, roping down from another of his beloved sea stacks. society > travel > [verb (transitive)] > travel about > assist over an obstacle society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > mountaineering or climbing > mountaineer or climb [verb (transitive)] > climbing techniques > assist with ropes 1890 H. S. Hallett 400 Just below the island..is a very long rapid, down which we were roped. 1900 T. Adney vii. 157 One party, who roped their boat through instead of running, lost all their pork and flour by the swamping of the boat. 1925 E. F. Norton in E. F. Norton et al. 115 It was one of our rules that any party of porters..must be met at the Col and escorted and roped over the intricate route into camp. 1976 A. White ii. 18 It had been a difficult climb... He..roped me most of the way. 1999 A. H. Griffin (2000) xi. 157 Near the top we came upon a lone walker in some trouble and had to rope him down. Phrasal verbs PV1. With adverbs in specialized senses. to rope in Originally U.S.the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > snare, trap, entanglement > entrap, ensnare [verb (transitive)] 1840 5 Sept. 2 Robert Brown, Pat Carlin, and F. Quin, supposed to have roped in a chicken importer—no proof of the fact. 1840 18 Sept. 2/2 The persons rightly concluded it was an effort to ‘rope in’, and told Trainer so. 1848 J. R. Bartlett To rope in, to take or sweep in collectively; an expression much used in colloquial language at the West. 1855 ix. 113 Private houses..are very frequently furnished with a card-room, where the members of the family, with some unfortunate young man whom they have ‘roped in’ for the occasion, spend the night at ‘fip poker’. 1873 G. W. Perrie ix. 133 The gambler, whose practice in..‘roping in a greeney’, had become too well known. 1911 G. Burgess 76 It was a funny story how young Michael Carnarvon got married... You see, young Carnarvon was really what you might call roped in. 1925 D. G. Mackail in Sept. 254/2 I'm sorry for you, my man, but..another twenty-four hours, and we might have been roping you in, too. 1981 N. Freeling iv. 30 The gendarmes..sent the urban police to rope in the rest of the band. 1995 L. Gunst (1996) ii. 212 The word on the street in Kingston was that if the Americans roped in Jim Brown, the Tivolites would..start killing tourists. 1844 J. H. Carleton 29 Aug. (1983) 78 Many..‘roped in’ for a hug on such a special occasion…. The term ‘roped in’, in the West, means the coming to entertainments, etc., where the individual in neither expected nor invited. If in New York three gentlemen were going to a Cafe for an oyster supper, and a fourth, unsolicited, should join them, he would ‘rope in.’ 1859 12 Feb. 1/3 I think it is a good time for me to ‘rope in’, and help. 1871 L. H. Bagg 47 Rope in, to join one's self to a set or party uninvited. the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > aid, help, or assist [verb (transitive)] > secure the support of 1868 ‘M. Twain’ in 13 Jan. 2/2 She ropes us in at the church fairs. 1916 ‘B. Cable’ 10 They..roped in my captain to identify me. 1935 W. S. Churchill Let. 10 Mar. in W. S. Churchill & C. S. Churchill (1999) xvi. 392 Mary has been roped in to the electioneering and was addressing envelopes with all the rest of our progeny and Moppet last Saturday. 1970 2 May 395/1 Despite its ability to attract private funds, the zoo has been less successful at roping in the public. 2000 13 Feb. iv. 1/1 Mr. Bradley also roped in his share of independents in New Hampshire. PV2. With prepositions in specialized senses. to rope into transitive. Originally U.S.1857 Jan. 37 They would contract to fill Tophet with brimstone in thirty days for nothing, and would then go bear-ing around until they roped some body into paying them for taking away the sulphur to do it with. 1899 E. Œ. Somerville & ‘M. Ross’ 275 I won't be roped into this kind of business again. 1930 L. Charteris iii. 70 The poor blessed Britisher gets roped into everybody else's squabbles. 1951 R. A. Heinlein Let. 3 Nov. in R. A. Heinlein & V. Heinlein (1990) 137 In addition to the above, I've let myself be roped into going to Denver to speak to the Colorado Authors' League. 1982 13 Sept. 8/2 He was roped into a university expedition to Sarawak. 1998 A. Thorpe (1999) iv. 205 Through this girl's brother I was roped into the same croquet team you used to play for, Mother. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > snare, trap, entanglement > entrap, ensnare [verb (transitive)] > into a place, action, etc. 1859 G. W. Matsell 115 We frequently read of country-men being ‘roped’ into gambling-houses. 1880 H. Morgan x. 140 Got roped into the high-toned gamblin' den on Beacon Street. 1885 2 July 4/3 He was roped into this snap by Chicago sharpers. 1938 F. D. Sharpe x. 116 Prostitutes and their protectors were roped into the stations by the dozen. 1950 6 Feb. 21/2 He will probably rope the victim into his favourite charity, the Margaret MacMillan memorial Fund. 1973 9 Jan. 4/8 It looks like you are going to be roped into that theft from the pub but it will be all right. It will cost you a monkey (£500). 2000 J. J. Connolly (2004) 7 Morty was somehow roped into getting rid of the mangled, headless body but someone fucked up by being just too fuckin untogether and Morty got nicked big-time. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, November 2010; most recently modified version published online June 2022). <  n.1eOE n.2eOE n.3OEv.1OEv.2a1400 |
