lope
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
This old form of leap is often heard in the streets. To LOPE is also to steal. German, LAUFEN.
Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “lope” mean?
This old form of leap is often heard in the streets. To LOPE is also to steal. German, LAUFEN.
Is “lope” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.