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rope

(rōp)

1. A flexible heavy cord of tightly intertwined hemp or other fiber.

2. A string of items attached in one line, especially by twisting or braiding: a rope of onions.

3. A sticky glutinous formation of stringy matter in a liquid.

a. A cord with a noose at one end for hanging a person.

b. Execution or death by hanging: to die by the rope.

5. A lasso or lariat.

6. ropes Sports Several cords strung between poles to enclose a boxing or wrestling ring.

7. ropes Informal Specialized procedures or details: learn the ropes; know the ropes.

8. Baseball A line drive.

v. roped, rop·ing, ropes

tr.v.

1. To tie, fasten, or attach with a rope or other cord.

2. To enclose, separate, or partition with a rope or other cord: rope off the scene of the crime.

3. To catch with a rope or lasso.

4. Informal To persuade or manipulate (someone): My boss roped me into attending the ceremony.

Phrasal Verbs:

rope down

1. To descend using a rope, as from a cliff or a hovering helicopter.

2. To lower (something) by means of a rope.

rope up

1. To climb a steep slope or dangerous area using a rope.

2. To attach climbers to a rope for safety: roped up before crossing the glacier.

Idiom:

on the ropes

1. Sports Knocked against the ropes that enclose a boxing ring.

2. On the verge of defeat or collapse; hopeless or powerless.

[Middle English, from Old English rāp.]

roper n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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