Definition

1. Noun:

   • A long rope with a noose at one end, used for catching animals, especially cattle: A tool traditionally associated with cowboys and ranchers for capturing livestock by throwing the loop over the animal's head or horns.
   • (Capitalized) A surname, notably of a composer: Refers to the Belgian composer Orlando di Lasso (c. 1532–1594).

2. Verb:

   • To catch with a lasso: The action of using a lasso to capture an animal by throwing the looped rope around it.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The cowboy expertly threw his lasso and caught the runaway calf.
  • The museum displayed a collection of antique saddles and lassos.

• Verb:

  • The rancher needed to lasso the steer for branding.
  • She learned how to lasso a wooden post before trying it on a moving animal.

Advanced Usage

• "To throw a lasso": This phrase specifically describes the act of casting the rope.
  • It took years of practice to throw a lasso accurately from horseback.

Variants and Related Words

• Lariat (n): Another term for a lasso, especially a rope used for tethering grazing animals.
  • He tied his horse to the post with a lariat.

Synonyms

• Rope (v/n): While more general, "to rope" is often synonymous with "to lasso."
  • They had to rope the calf during the roundup.
• Noose (n): Refers specifically to the loop, but not the entire rope.

Related Phrases

• "To rope and tie": A common ranching sequence meaning to lasso an animal and then secure it.
  • The competition timed how quickly each contestant could rope and tie a goat.

Noun

1. a long noosed rope used to catch animals
2. Belgian composer (1532-1594)

Verb

1. catch with a lasso
   • rope cows