ropy

• ropey

• IPA^(key): /ˈɹəʊpi/

• Audio (General American):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -əʊpi

From Middle English ropy, from rope + -y.

ropy (comparative ropier or more ropy, superlative ropiest or most ropy)

1. 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.

2. Capable of forming rope-like or thread-like structures.
3. (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.

From Scots roupy (“husky; hoarse”), from Scots roup (“hoarseness, huskiness, any inflamed condition of the throat”).

ropy (comparative ropier or more ropy, superlative ropiest or most ropy)

1. (UK, Ireland, 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.

• rope

• opry, pory, pyro, pyro-

• IPA^(key): [ˈropɪ]

ropy

1. inflection of ropa:
   1. genitive singular
   2. nominative/accusative/vocative plural

• IPA^(key): /ˈrɔ.pɘ/
• Rhymes: -ɔpɘ
• Syllabification: ro‧py

ropy f

1. genitive singular of ropa