footrope

American  

[foot-rohp] / ˈfʊtˌroʊp /

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 beneath a yard, bowsprit, jib boom, or spanker boom to give a footing for a person handling sails.

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footrope British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of footrope

First recorded in 1765–75; foot + rope

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

footrope

Seamen of doubtful ability swarmed aloft and started unfurling the upper canvas; three reached the fore-topgallant yard and went out on the footrope with clumsy feet.

From The Ice Pilot by Henry Leverage

Jimmy laughed as he swung himself up to the footrope.

From Thrice Armed by Harold Bindloss

Here, still faint and dizzy, he hung with the footrope jammed against his heel, as he felt for the gasket that held the canvas to the yard.

From Thurston of Orchard Valley by W. Herbert Dunton

Kampke was blown overboard off the footrope that ran under the yard, as he stood there hauling in on the sail.

From Tramping on Life An Autobiographical Narrative by Harry Kemp

"We'll be through in another two minutes—" he began, and then came a terrific shock, and both he and I were jerked off the footrope, and toppled over the yard on to the bellying foresail!

From "Pig-Headed" Sailor Men From "The Strange Adventure Of James Shervinton and Other Stories" - 1902 by Louis Becke