Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Rope?

\Rope\, n. [AS. r[=a]p; akin to D. reep, G. reif ring hoop, Icel. reip rope, Sw. rep, Dan. reb, reeb Goth. skaudaraip latchet.] 1. A large, stout cord, usually one not less than an inch in circumference, made of strands twisted or braided together. It differs from cord, line, and string, only in its size. See {Cordage}. 2. A row or string consisting of a number of things united, as by braiding, twining, etc.; as, a rope of onions. 3. pl. The small intestines; as, the ropes of birds. {Rope ladder}, a ladder made of ropes. {Rope mat}., a mat made of cordage, or strands of old rope. {Rope of sand}, something of no cohession or fiber; a feeble union or tie; something not to be relied upon. {Rope pump}, a pump in which a rapidly running endless rope raises water by the momentum communicated to the water by its adhesion to the rope. {Rope transmission} (Mach.), a method of transmitting power, as between distant places, by means of endless ropes running over grooved pulleys. {Rope's end}, a piece of rope; especially, one used as a lash in inflicting punishment. {To give one rope}, to give one liberty or license; to let one go at will uncheked.
\Rope\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Roped}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Roping}.] To be formed into rope; to draw out or extend into a filament or thread, as by means of any glutinous or adhesive quality. Let us not hang like ropingicicles Upon our houses' thatch. --Shak.
\Rope\, v. t. 1. To bind, fasten, or tie with a rope or cord; as, to rope a bale of goods. Hence: 2. To connect or fasten together, as a party of mountain climbers, with a rope. 3. To partition, separate, or divide off, by means of a rope, so as to include or exclude something; as, to rope in, or rope off, a plot of ground; to rope out a crowd. 4. To lasso (a steer, horse). [Colloq. U.S.] 5. To draw, as with a rope; to entice; to inveigle; to decoy; as, to rope in customers or voters. [Slang, U.S.] 6. To prevent from winning (as a horse), by pulling or curbing. [Racing Slang, Eng.]