strop

American  

[strop] / strɒp /

noun

1. any of several devices for sharpening razors, especially a strip of leather or other flexible material.

2. Nautical, Machinery. Also

   1. a rope or a band of metal surrounding and supporting a block, deadeye, etc.

   2. a metal band surrounding the pulley of a block to transmit the load on the pulley to its hook or shackle.

   3. a rope sling, as for handling cargo.

   4. a ring or grommet of rope.

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verb (used with object)

stropped, stropping

1. to sharpen on or as if on a strop.

strop British  

/ strɒp /

noun

1. a leather strap or an abrasive strip for sharpening razors

2. a rope or metal band around a block or deadeye for support

3. informal a temper tantrum

   he threw a strop and stormed off

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verb

1. (tr) to sharpen (a razor, etc) on a strop

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• stropper
  noun

Etymology

Origin of strop

before 1050; Middle English (noun), Old English; cognate with Dutch, Low German strop; all probably < Latin stroppus, variant of struppus strap

Example Sentences

The tour, for which the Jacksonville show was the sixth strop, runs through October and is in support of the March release of Wallen’s sophomore album, “One Thing at a Time.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2023

He left the field in a strop often enough after games, so what might he be saying in private given the overall malaise at Old Trafford?

From BBC • Jul. 8, 2022

There’s one more elevated observation deck on the floating trail worth a strop before reaching Foster Island, from which you can connect to the Washington Park Arboretum via the southward path.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 9, 2022

Mine may be better used as a razor strop.

From Washington Post • Feb. 14, 2022

Honey, this strop was about broad as your hand from thumb to little finger, and it was cut in strips up.

From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis

Related Words

• file
• grind
• hone
• whet