lasso
UK[læˈsuː]US[ˈlæsoʊ]
n
a rope with a loop that can be tightened, used for catching cattle and horses
v
to catch an animal using a lasso
Etymology
The word 'lasso' entered English in the early 19th century from the American Spanish term 'lazo', meaning 'a snare' or 'noose'. This Spanish word traces its origin to the Latin 'laqueus', which carried the same meaning of a trap or bond for catching animals. The journey from a general Latin term for a snare to the specific English word for a cowboy's looped rope illustrates a classic path of semantic specialization following cultural contact. The tool and its name became iconic symbols of the cattle-herding practices of the American West, solidifying its place in the English lexicon.
Analysis
The word 'lasso' is a direct loanword from Spanish, which itself derived from the Latin word 'laqueus' meaning 'noose' or 'snare'.
Examples
The cowboy expertly threw his lasso to catch the runaway calf.
She learned how to lasso a fence post before she could properly ride a horse.
A well-made lasso is an essential piece of equipment on a ranch.