lope
UK[ləʊp]US[loʊp]
v
To run with a long, easy stride
n
A long, easy stride or the act of running with such a stride
Etymology
The verb 'lope' entered Middle English from Old Norse 'hlaupa', meaning "to leap, run." This Norse term is cognate with the Old English word 'hlēapan', which evolved into the modern English 'leap'. The semantic journey is direct, moving from a general sense of springing or running to the specific modern meaning of running with a long, bounding, and effortless gait. The word exemplifies the Scandinavian influence on English vocabulary, particularly in terms describing motion and physical action.
Analysis
The word 'lope' is a simplex word of Old Norse origin. It does not contain separable, meaningful morphemes within its modern English spelling.
Examples
The wolf began to lope effortlessly across the open plain.
She settled into a steady lope, covering the miles with ease.
The horse broke into a lope as soon as it left the starting gate.