\Lass"o\ (l[a^]s"s[-o]) n.; pl. {Lassos} (-s[=o]z). [Sp.
lazo, L. laqueus. See {Lace}.]
A rope or long thong of leather with, a running noose, used
for catching horses, cattle, etc.
{Lasso cell} (Zo["o]l.), one of a peculiar kind of defensive
   and offensive stinging cells, found in great numbers in
   all c[oe]lenterates, and in a few animals of other groups.
   They are most highly developed in the tentacles of
   jellyfishes, hydroids, and Actini[ae]. Each of these cells
   is filled with, fluid, and contains a long, slender, often
   barbed, hollow thread coiled up within it. When the cell
   contracts the thread is quickly ejected, being at the same
   time turned inside out. The thread is able to penetrate
   the flesh of various small, soft-bodied animals, and
   carries a subtle poison by which they are speedily
   paralyzed and killed. The threads, at the same time, hold
   the prey in position, attached to the tentacles. Some of
   the jellyfishes, as the Portuguese man-of-war, and
   {Cyanea}, are able to penetrate the human skin, and
   inflict painful stings in the same way. Called also
   {nettling cell}, {cnida}, {cnidocell}.

\Las"so\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Lassoed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Lassoing}.]
To catch with a lasso.