ˈhead-rope
† 1. One of the stays of a mast. Obs.
| ? a 1400 Morte Arth. 3668 Thane was hede-rapys hewene þat helde vpe þe mastes. c 1475 Pict. Voc. in Wr.-Wülcker 805/5 Hec antemnis, a hedrope. |
2. ‘That part of the bolt-rope which terminates any sail on the upper edge, and to which it is accordingly sewed. Also, the small rope to which a flag is fastened, to hoist it to the mast-head, or head of the ensign staff’ (Smyth Sailor's Word-bk.).
| 1627 Capt. Smith Seaman's Gram. v. 22 The Robbins are little lines reeued into the eyelet holes of the saile vnder the head ropes. 1762–9 Falconer Shipwr. ii. 207 To each yard-arm the head-rope they extend. 1861 Chamber's Encycl. II. 205 A head-rope along the top edge. |
3. A rope along the top of a fishing-net.
| 1883 Cassell's Nat. Hist. V. 94 The floating barrel fixed to the head-rope of a pilchard-net. |
4. A rope for leading a horse, or for tying him up. Also for other animals.
| 1854 H. H. Wilson tr. Rig-veda II. 115 The halter and the heel-ropes of the fleet courser, and the head-ropes. 1936 P. Fleming News from Tartary 328 The camels' headropes were fixed not to nose-pegs but to gaily decorated halters. 1957 P. Kemp Mine were of Trouble viii. 137 Hold on to the mules' head-ropes! |