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rope

1

In England, a unit of length, = 20 feet. Specifically, in Devonshire a quantity of cob-work or masonry, 20 feet long, 1 foot high and 18 inches thick. In Somersetshire, a unit of wall-building = 20 feet.

Second Report (1820).

2

In Scotland, a unit of length, another name for the fall, = 6 (Scots) ells = 222 inches, or 18½ feet.

3

In England, 14ᵗʰ century, a unit of count for garlic, and possibly onions.

sources and examples

A Hundred of Garlike consisteth of fifteen Ropes, and every Rope containeth fifteen Heads.

Tractatus Ponderibus et Mensuris.

3 Nov. From the ship of Digo Founs called Sanctus Spiritus of Viana
Said master, A[lien], 2,000 ropes of onions, 42 dozen cork, £6 13s. 4d.

H. S. Cobb, editor.
The Overseas Trade of London. Exchequer Customs Accounts 1480-1.
London Record Society, 1990.
Page 5, entry 14.

21 July. From the ship of Clays Bartoles called George of Danzig. ...

Peter Eksted, H[anse]. 2 packs flax, 100 wainscots, 1 great C. clapholt, 1 last train oil in wide barrels, 1 last bowstaves, 7 barrels osmund, 1 pack spruce canvas containing 13 C. ells, 1 small fardel with 6 timbers of ermines, 3 ropes amber, £63 6s. 8d.

Ibid, page 54-55, entry 169. The rest of the amber imported on this ship was described by weight. A “rope of amber” may simply mean a necklace.