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| rope [ rōp ] |
noun (plural ropes) |
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| Definition: |
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1. strong cord: a strong cord made by twisting together strands of hemp or other fibers or wire
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2. string of things: a row of things strung or twisted together
  a rope of pearls
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3. strand of sticky material: a stringy strand of a sticky substance
a rope of saliva
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4. cord for hanging somebody: a cord with a noose at one end that is used for hanging people
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5. death by hanging: execution by hanging
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6. freedom: freedom or latitude to do something
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plural noun ropes |
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| Definition: |
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1. lasso: a lasso or lariat
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2. cords of ring used for fighting: the cords used to enclose a boxing or wrestling ring
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3. usual procedures: the appropriate means and procedures for doing something or for functioning in an environment
(
informal
)
Her task was to show the new employee the ropes.
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verb (past and past participle roped, present participle rop·ing, 3rd person present singular ropes) |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive verb secure something with rope: to tie, link, or bind somebody or something with rope
The two climbers were roped together for the ascent.
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2. transitive verb enclose area: to enclose or partition an area using ropes as barriers
The museum staff had roped off the area.
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3. transitive verb lasso animal: to catch an animal with a lasso
rope a steer
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4. intransitive verb form strands: to form strands that resemble rope in shape or texture
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| [ Old English rāp< Germanic] |
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| rop·er noun |
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give somebody enough rope U.S. to allow somebody enough freedom or latitude to accomplish something or do something well
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give somebody enough rope to hang himself or herself to give somebody enough freedom to make mistakes or reveal his or her shortcomings
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on the ropes in a desperate or hopeless position and likely to fail (informal)
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