hempen

Etymology

From Middle English hempen, hempyn, from Old English *hænepen (“made of hemp, hempen”), equivalent to hemp +‎ -en. Cognate with Dutch hennepen (“hempen”), German hanfen (“hempen”). More at hemp.

Pronunciation

• (Canada) IPA^(key): /ˈhɛmpən/

Adjective

hempen (not comparable)

1. (dated) Made of hemp
   • 1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book I, Canto IX”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, page 125:

     In fowle reproch of knighthoodes fayre degree, / About his neck an hempen rope he weares, / That with his gliſtring armes does ill agree;

   • 1891, A[rthur] Conan Doyle, “How the Army made the passage of Roncesvalles”, in The White Company […], London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], →OCLC, page 136:

     A quiet land is this—a land where the slow-moving Basque, with his flat biretta-cap, his red sash and his hempen sandals, tills his scanty farm […]

   • 1942 May-June, “Cable Operation at Liverpool and London”, in Railway Magazine, page 174:

     Trains from Lime Street to Edge Hill were hauled by an endless hempen rope worked by a stationary engine on the platform at the latter station.

   • 2023 December 27, Stephen Roberts, “Bradshaw's Britain: the way to Weymouth”, in RAIL, number 999, page 53:

     Apparently, Bridport is noted for "its hempen manufactures. Its staple productions are twine, fishing nets, and canvas, and much hemp for the purpose is grown."

2. Related to hempen ropes, i.e., to hanging as capital punishment.
   • 1904, Rafael Sabatini, The Tavern Night:

     […] but rid himself also of the companionship of this ruffianly Sir Crispin, to whom no doubt a hempen justice would be meted.

Alternative forms

• hempon, hempyn

Etymology

Possibly from an Old English *hænepen; however this word is attested relatively late and was probably formed anew in Middle English. Equivalent to hemp +‎ -en (“made of”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈhɛmpən/

Noun

hempen

1. hempen (made of hemp)