Crossword Genius

Rope that’s not long now twisted with energy (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

noose

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'rope' is the definition.
(noose is a kind of rope)

'not long now twisted with energy' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'not' could be 'no' (negative) and 'no' is found within the answer.
'energy' could be 'e' (physics symbol as in E=mc2) and 'e' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'os' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'that's' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for noose that I've seen before include "Hangman's knot" , "Hangman's equipment" , "Catch" , "Halter loop" , "Hangman's running loop" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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