GLOSSARY OF ROPE TERMINOLOGY

Plaited
Braided; generally refers to 8-strand large diameter rope in either a square or round braided construction.

Ply
One of the strands twisted together to make yarn, rope or thread or twine. Used in combination to indicate a specific number of strands (example 2-ply).

Polished (glazed)
A cotton cord that has been run through a gum and pigment polish to give it a gloss.

Poly
An industry abbreviation for polypropylene.

Polyamide
A high tenacity synthetic fiber used in the production of rope and cordage. Generally referred to as nylon.

Polyester (PET)
A synthetic fiber used for its strength and resistance to ultraviolet deterioration. It does not have the stretch and elasticity of nylon and, as a result, will often last longer.

Polyethylene (PE)
A floating polyolefin fiber similar to polypropylene, but a little heavier and not quite as strong.

Polyfoam
A monofilament polypropylene into which gas is blown during extrusion; thus, producing a lighter weight, less expensive, less strong rope or twine, size for size, than standard polypropylene. See blown filament and foamed.

Polyolefin
A synthetic fiber group in which the fiber forming sustenance is any long-chain synthetic polymer composed of at least 85% by weight of ethylene, propylene, or other olefin units. Polypropylene and polyethylene represent this group.

Polypro
Short for polypropylene.

Polypropylene (PP)
A light weight, strong rope with many uses. It is waterproof, resistant to rot, and floats. For most rope requirements, it is the most economical rope to buy.

Polysteel
An extruded copolymer fiber that yields a high strength, light weight rope with good resistance to acids and alkalis. Also a trademark name.

Pool Rope
A floating three strand twisted rope made of polypropylene, used as boundary rope in swimming pools; usually identified by one dark blue and two white strands.

Pot Warp
Specially constructed 3-strand twisted black polypropylene rope used primarily for lobster fishing, but may be used as crab line, net line and for various other purposes. Black color resists sunlight deterioration.

Pulley
A device consisting of a sheave mounted in a block or wall, which is used to achieve mechanical advantage when lifting or pulling heavy objects.

Put Up
The manner in which the cordage product is packaged (e.g. hank, reel, coil).

Random Mix
Economy grade rope made from a mixture of synthetic yarns polypropylene, polyester, and nylon. It is also called random polypro, since polypropylene usually forms the bulk of the fiber.

Rappel
To descend a rope in a safe and controlled manner.

Rattail Stopper
A braided tapered line used on mooring lines to eliminate losing slack when doubling or singling up. Its purpose is to hold tension while tying off to bits. The rattail is usually secured to an eye on the deck near the bitts. The tension goes from the Capstan to Rattail to Bitts.

Ready
A smooth round strand made of several yarns just prior to being twisted or plaited into 3, 4 or 8 strand rope.

Retrieval Line
A rope attached to a worker or rescuer which can be used to drag the person out of the environment if they become injured or incapacitated.

Riding Lines
Four inch manila lines about 45 to 60 feet in length used for hogging to prevent double heads from popping out due to weight.

Right-Hand Twist
A "Z" twist or a twist that would be laid out in a clockwise direction.

Ring Buoy
When an individual is sighted in the water, a ring should be thrown as close to them as possible to provide flotation and make them easier to sight.

Rope
Cordage; generally refers to cordage over 1" circumference (about the size of a pencil). It may be twisted or braided, of natural or synthetic fibers or wire.

Rope Bag
A durable fabric bag that is used to store and transport rope. Cancord sells a wide selection of rope bags. Please refer to our online catalog for additional information.

Running Rigging
All lines and gear used to trim and set sails.

S-Twist
A left-handed twist; a twist that would be laid out by turning the yarn or rope in a counterclockwise direction.

Safety Factor
A number that the tensile strength is divided by in order to determine the safe working load (for new rope in good condition with proper splices).

Safe Working Load
The maximum load to which a rope may be subjected.

Sash Braid
A cylindrical braid in which each strand alternately passes under and over one or more of the other strands of the rope while all strands are rotating around the axis with the same direction of rotation. Also referred to as Solid Braid.

Sash Cord
A cord used within the frame of certain windows that works on a pulley to help raise and lower the window easily within its frame. It is generally a solid braid cotton with various fiber cores for low stretch; a sash cord may also be used for other utility purposes.