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

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