A rope is a strong, thick cord made by twisting or braiding fibers together, used for tying, pulling, or lifting things. Ropes can be made from natural materials like hemp or from synthetic fibers.
From Old English *rāp* “rope, cord,” related to Old Norse *reip* and German *Reif*. The basic form and function of rope have changed very little for thousands of years.
Rope is such ancient technology that the word has barely shifted in over a thousand years. Even modern climbing ropes and ship lines carry the same basic idea: strength created by twisting many weaker strands together.
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