I. ˈlōp noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, alteration of loup, from hlaup; in senses 2 and 3, probably influenced by Dutch loop course, run, stride, from Middle Dutch; Old Norse hlaup akin to Middle Dutch loop, Old High German hlouf course; derivative from the root of Old Norse hlaupa to jump, leap
1. obsolete : leap
2. : an easy natural gait of a horse resembling a canter
3. : an easy bounding gait capable of being sustained for a considerable period
the lope of a wolf
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English lopen, alteration of loupen, from Old Norse hlaupa; in sense 2, probably influenced by Dutch loopen to run, from Middle Dutch lopen — more at leap (v.)
intransitive verb
1. obsolete : leap
2.
a. : to go or move at a lope
the hares and rabbits loped away — Charles Kingsley
loped up the trail — Donald Keith
b. : to ride at a lope
transitive verb
: to cause (as a horse or pony) to lope
loped our jaded horses along at a brisk pace — Theodore Roosevelt