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rappel

(ra pel′, rə-)

noun

a descent by a mountain climber, as down a sheer face of a cliff, by means of a double rope belayed above and arranged around the climber's body so that he can control the slide downward

Origin: Fr, lit., a recall < rappeler, to call back < OFr rapeler: see repeal

intransitive verb rappelled, rappelling

to make such a descent

See rappel in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A descent of a vertical surface, as a cliff or wall, by sliding down a belayed rope that is passed under one thigh and over the opposite shoulder or through a device that provides friction, typically while facing the surface and performing a series of short backward leaps to control the descent.

intransitive verb rap·pelled, rap·pel·ling, rap·pels

To descend from a steep height by this method.

Origin:

Origin: French, recall, return, rappel

Origin: , from Old French, recall

Origin: , from rapeler, to recall

Origin: : re-, re-

Origin: + apeler, to summon; see appeal

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