ˈrope-ripe, a. and n.
[rope n.1 3.]
A. adj. Ripe for the gallows; fit for being hanged. Obs. exc. arch.
| 1552 Huloet, Roperype, or vngracious waghalter, nequam. 1562 J. Heywood Prov. & Epigr. (1867) 206 Whether wilt thou hang vp with ropes of ynions? Or stifly stande vp, with roperipe minions? 1597 Churchyard Choice Cciii, But gallows lucke, and rope ripe happe At length was guerdon for our paine. [1892 H. V. Mills Lake Country Romances 147 Thou art a rope-ripe rascal thyself.] |
† b. Applied to language. Obs.
| c 1530 Prodigal Son 61 Such ropperype terms. 1553 T. Wilson Rhet. 59 If we firste expresse our mynde in plaine wordes, and not seke these roperype termes. 1574 Rich Mercury & Soldier M ij b, When it pleaseth you to bestow so many nice names and other rope rype terms upon such as be my subjectes. 1611 Chapman May Day Plays 1873 II. 368 Lord how you roule in your rope ripe termes. |
† B. n. One who is ripe for the gallows. Obs.
| 1573 Tusser Husb. (1878) 183 Giue hardnes to youth and to roperipe a twig. 1600 ? Lyly Maids Metam. ii. ii, How the diuel stumbled this case of rope-ripes in—into my way? 1632 Sherwood, A rope-ripe, ripe for the rope, or deseruing the rope, grevolable, relasche de pendu, pendard. |