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noose Definition

noose (no̵̅o̅s)

noun

  1. a loop formed in a rope, cord, etc. by means of a slipknot so that the loop tightens as the rope is pulled
  2. anything that restricts one's freedom; tie, bond, snare, trap, etc.

Etymology: ME nose, prob. via Prov nous < L nodus, knot, node

transitive verb noosed, noos′·ing

  1. to catch or hold in a noose; trap, ensnare, etc.
  2. to form a noose in or of (a rope, cord, etc.)

noose Idioms

the noose

death by hanging

noose Synonyms

noose

n.

hitch, running knot, loop, lasso; see knot 1, rope.

noose Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • tighten: Rhyme digs deep into the only world he has left - his astonishing mind - and slowly begins to tighten the noose.
  • slip: He slipped the noose around his neck and drew it tight against his bobbing Adam's apple.
  • put: Ben went to the pig sty and put a noose around the pig's neck and lead it down the path to the bench.
  • run: This is ( so far ) the only ' wrong ' running noose I know.
  • make: Prepare your dagger, then, or make a noose from your rope; For you must leave this light.
  • tie: The women tie a noose around Joan's neck and string her up in the shower block.

Adjective modifier

  • lawful: Guns aren't lawful, Nooses give, Gas smells awful.
  • tight: The specially-trained and equipped team hopes to safely capture the female humpback dolphin which has a tight nylon noose around its tail.

Modifies a noun

  • round: He nodded to Moosa, who instantly threw a noose round Harold's arms, and drew it tight.

Noun used with modifier

  • wire: Snares - wire nooses set to catch wild animals - have been in use for a great many years.

Possessives

  • hangman: Baby farmer Amelia Dyer is set to face the hangman's noose for the murder of a baby.

Preposition: for

  • murder: Baby farmer Amelia Dyer is set to face the hangman's noose for the murder of a baby.
noose Quotes

And naked to the hangman's noose The morning clocks will ring A neck God made for other use Than strangling in a string.

—Housman, A(lfred) E(dward)

Awake! for Morning in the bowl of night Has flung the stone that puts the stars to flight: And Lo! the Hunter of the East has caught The Sultan's turret in a noose of light.

—Fitzgerald, Edward

Browse dictionary entries near noose

  1. ‹ Noordholland
  2. ‹ Noordbrabant
  3. ‹ noontime
  4. ‹ nooning
  5. ‹ noonday
  6. ‹ noon
  7. ‹ nooky
  8. ‹ nook
  9. ‹ noogie
  10. ‹ noodle
  1. Nootka ›
  2. nopal ›
  3. nope ›
  4. nor ›
  5. nor- ›
  6. Nora ›
  7. NORAD ›
  8. noradrenaline ›
  9. Nord-Pas-de-Calais ›
  10. Nordau ›