hempen

[hem-puh n]

adjective

Origin of hempen

First recorded in 1325–75, hempen is from the Middle English word hempyn. See hemp, -en²

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

"I wish they 'd go out with hempen ones, then," muttered Repton.
The Martins Of Cro' Martin, Vol. II (of II)
Charles James Lever
Caius brought the horses to the trough in pairs, each with a hempen halter.
The Mermaid
Lily Dougall
The hempen string began to bristle like the hair of one electrified.
True to His Home
Hezekiah Butterworth
Those for a hempen cable are fitted as a ring-stopper, only a larger rope.
The Sailor's Word-Book
William Henry Smyth
We have festooned it full oft with a big hook and hempen line.
The Singing Mouse Stories
Emerson Hough

"made of hemp," late 14c., from hemp + -en (2). In many figurative expressions 15c.-19c. it is in reference to the hangman's noose.