rb signifying attempting
impossibilities; without cohesion. Said of people who ought, but will
not combine to effect a necessary object.

ROPES. A general name given to all the cordage above one inch in
circumference used in rigging a ship; but the name is severally applied
to the awning, bell, boat, bolt, breast, bucket, buoy, davit, entering,
grapnel, guest or guist, guy, heel, keel, man, parral, passing, ring,
rudder, slip, swab, tiller, top, and yard: all which see under their
respective heads. Ropes are of several descriptions, viz.:--_Cable-laid_,
consists of three strands of already formed hawser-laid or twisted
left-hand, laid up into one opposite making nine strands.--_Hawser-laid_,
is merely three strands of simple yarns twisted right, but laid up
left.--_Four-strand_ is similarly laid with four strands, and a core
scarcely twisted.--_Sash-line_ is plaited and used for signal
halliards.--_Rope-yarn_ is understood to be the selected serviceable
yarns from condemned rope, and is worked into twice-laid. The refuse,
again, into rumbowline for temporary purposes, not demanding strength.

ROPES, HIGH. _On the high ropes_. To be ceremonious, upstart, invested
with brief authority.

ROPE'S END. The termination of a fall, and should be pointed or whipped.
Formerly much used for illegal punishment.

ROPE-YARN. The smallest and simplest part of any rope, being one of the
large threads of hemp or other stuff, several of which being twisted
together form a strand.

ROPING-NEEDLES. Those used for roping, being strong accordingly.

RORQUAL, OR FURROWED WHALE. A name of Scandinavian origin applied to the
fin-back whales, distinguished from the right whales by the small size
of their heads, shortness of their whalebone, the presence of a dorsal
fin, and of a series of conspicuous longitudinal folds or furrows in the
skin of the throat and chest.

ROSE, OR STRAINER. A plate of copper or lead perforated with small
holes, placed on the heel of a pump to prevent choking substances from
being sucked in. Roses are also nailed, for the like purpose, upon the
holes which are made on a steamer's bottom for the admission of water to
the boilers and condensers.

ROSE-LASHING. This lashing is middled, and passed opposite ways; when
finished, the ends appear as if coiled round the crossings.

ROSINA. A Tuscan gold coin, value 17_s._ 1_d._ sterling.

ROSS. A term from the Celtic, signifying a promontory.

ROSTER, OR ROLLSTER. A