ropy

English

Alternative forms

• ropey

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɹəʊpi/

• Audio (General American):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -əʊpi

Etymology 1

From Middle English ropy, from rope -y.

Adjective

ropy (comparative ropier or more ropy, superlative ropiest or most ropy)

1. Resembling rope in appearance or texture, used especially of muscles that are thick or hard to the touch.
   • Myofascial Syndrome

     Hence, myofascial pain is usually associated with a taut band, indicating a "ropey" thickening of muscle tissue.

2. Capable of forming rope-like or thread-like structures.
3. (of milk or another liquid) Slimy, as after the action of Enterobacter aerogenes in syrup.

   Synonym: (slang) bingy

   • 1708, [John Philips], “Book II”, in Cyder. […], London: […] J[acob] Tonson, […], →OCLC, page 68:

     The Hoary Froſts, and Northern Blaſts take care / Thy muddy Bev'rage to ſerene, and drive / Præcipitant the baſer, ropy Lees.

Etymology 2

From Scots roupy (“husky; hoarse”), from Scots roup (“hoarseness, huskiness, any inflamed condition of the throat”).

Adjective

ropy (comparative ropier or more ropy, superlative ropiest or most ropy)

1. (UK, Ireland, colloquial) Of poor quality; in poor health.

   Synonyms: inferior, second-rate, shabby, unwell

   • 1845, Thomas Hood, The Captain’s Cow:

     The very poultry in the coop / Began to pine away and droop— / The cock was first to go; / And glad we were on all our parts, / He used to damp our very hearts / With such a ropy crow.

   • 2012 September 8, “Emigration: On The Road”, in The Economist:

     Although Britain’s migration figures are ropey, other data point in the same direction.

Related terms

• rope

Translations

resembling rope

• Scottish Gaelic: ròibeanach

of poor quality; in poor health

• Russian: скве́рный (ru) n (skvérnyj), неудовлетвори́тельный (ru) m (neudovletvorítelʹnyj)

Anagrams

• opry, pory, pyro, pyro-

Czech

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ˈropɪ]

Noun

ropy

1. inflection of ropa:
   1. genitive singular
   2. nominative/accusative/vocative plural

Polish

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈrɔ.pɘ/
• Rhymes: -ɔpɘ
• Syllabification: ro‧py

Noun

ropy f

1. genitive singular of ropa