[rope] n [ME, fr. OE rap; akin to OHG reif hoop] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a large stout cord of strands of fibers or wire twisted or braided together b: a long slender strip of material used as rope "rawhide ~" c: a hangman's noose d: lariat
2: a row or string consisting of things united by or as if by braiding, twining, or threading 3 pl: special or basic techniques or procedures "show him the ~s"
4: line drive -- rope.like adj -- on the ropes : in a defensive and often helpless position
[2]rope vb roped ; rop.ing vt (14c) 1 a: to bind, fasten, or tie with a rope or cord b: to partition, separate, or divide by a rope "~ off the street" c: lasso
2: to draw as if with a rope: lure ~ vi: to take the form of or twist in the manner of rope -- rop.er n