ropy
English
Alternative forms
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈɹəʊpi/
- Rhymes: -əʊpi
Etymology 1
From Middle English ropy, from rope + -y.
Adjective
ropy (comparative ropier or more ropy, superlative ropiest or most ropy)
- 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.
- Myofascial Syndrome
- Capable of forming rope-like or thread-like structures.
- (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)
- (British, 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
Translations
resembling rope
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of poor quality; in poor health
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Czech
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): [ˈropɪ]
Polish
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈrɔ.pɨ/
- Rhymes: -ɔpɨ
- Syllabification: ro‧py
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