Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
ROPER, n. As in Eng., a rope-maker.
Phr. roper's ree, a ropemaker's yard, a rope-walk. See Ree, n.1, but the expression may be simply a nonce punning phr. on ropery, raperee (see Raip, n., 4.).Rnf. 1862 A. M'Gilvray Poems 135:
With him alone she lov'd to walk, Around the roper's ree.