transitive verb, intransitive verb belayed -·layed′, belaying -·lay′·ing

1. to make (a rope) secure by winding around a belaying pin, cleat, piton, etc.; hold fast
2. Naut., Informal
   1. to hold; stop belay there!
   2. to cancel belay the last order
3. to secure (a person, as a mountain climber, or thing) by a rope

Etymology: ME bileggen < OE belecgan, to make fast < be-, be- + lecgan, lay

noun