rope's end

1 of 2

noun

1
: a piece of rope especially for use as a lash for punishing
2
: a hangman's noose

rope's-end

2 of 2

transitive verb

: to punish with a rope's end

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English roppys end, from roppys, ropes (genitive of rope entry 1) + end, ende end

Transitive verb

rope's end

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Transitive Verb

1803, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rope's end was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near rope's end

rope's-end

rope's end

ropeband

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Rope's end.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rope%27s%20end. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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