When's a rope not a rope?

Some of these are metal and a rope is not a rope when

It tows a dinghy - then it's a painter
It moves - then it's a running line
Hoists up a sail - it's a halyard
Pulls a sail tight - it's a sheet
Shortens the sail - a reef
Holds the mast at the sides - a shroud
Holds up the boom - the topping lift
Holds down the boom - the kicking strap
Holds the boat to the shore - a spring
Holds the anchor - a cable or warp
Wrapped round and round something - whipping
It is thick - a hawser
It is thin - a lanyard
It is very thin - a line

A fascinating article about ropes in general is here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rope