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belay definition

be·lay (bi lā′)

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

action, method, or place of securing a hold for a rope in mountain climbing

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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