Rope (?), n. [AS. rāp; 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.]