[f. BUOY sb. + ROPE.] The rope by which the buoy is fastened to the anchor. † Also transf. (quot. 1562 used for a woman’s pig-tail).
1562. J. Heywood, Prov. & Epigr. (1867), 64. Except hir maide shewe a fayre paire of heeles, She haleth her by the boy rope, tyll her braines ake.
1630. J. Taylor (Water P.), Wks., III. 65 a/2. Cleere, cleere the boighrope, steddy, well steered. Ibid. (1723), No. 6129/3. Twelve Fathom of a Buoy Rope of six Inches and an half.
c. 1860. H. Stuart, Seaman’s Catech., 56. If the cable should be slipped or parted, the buoy-rope is used for weighing.
