footrope

[ foot-rohp ]

noun

, Nautical.

1. the portion of the boltrope to which the lower edge of a sail is sewn.
2. a rope suspended a few feet foot beneath a yard, bowsprit, jib boom, or spanker boom to give a footing foot for a person handling sails.

footrope

/ ˈfʊtˌrəʊp /

noun

1. the part of a boltrope to which the foot of a sail is stitched
2. a rope fixed so as to hang below a yard to serve as a foothold

Word History and Origins

Origin of footrope¹

First recorded in 1765–75; foot + rope

Example Sentences

A footrope ran below the spar; one could balance oneself by its help and he vaguely distinguished somebody close by.

From Project Gutenberg