Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

backrope

noun

Definition of backrope

1 : a rope or chain extending aft on each side of a sailing ship from the lower end of the dolphin striker to the bows
2 : cat back

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of backrope

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about backrope

Statistics for backrope

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for backrope

The first known use of backrope was in 1840

See more words from the same year

Comments on backrope

What made you want to look up backrope? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

intoxicate

Listen to the pronounciation of intoxicate

to affect and impair by alcohol or a drug

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words from Greek and Latin Quiz

  • roman forum
  • Which of the following months comes from a Latin word for “ten”?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Syn City

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games