Rappel definition

ră-pĕl
rappelled rappelling rappels
See word origin
Frequency:
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.
noun
0
0
To descend from a steep height by this method.
verb
0
0
A descent by a mountain climber, as down a sheer face of a cliff, by means of a double rope anchored above and arranged around the climber's body so as to control the slide downward.
noun
0
0
To make such a descent.
verb
0
0
Descending by means of a rope, abseiling.
noun
0
0
Advertisement
verb
0
0
(military) A drumbeat pattern for calling soldiers to gather.
noun
0
0

Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
rappel
Plural:
rappels

Origin of rappel

  • French recall, return, rappel from Old French recall from rapeler to recall re- re- apeler to summon appeal

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • French rappeler (“to pull through (a rope)")

    From Wiktionary

  • French. Compare repeal.

    From Wiktionary

Rappel Sentence Examples

  • Just rappel down and climb back up.

  • He closed his eyes briefly and began loosening his tight grip on the line, readying himself to rappel downward.

  • Shipton swore and began to fumble with his line to rappel again, down to the now injured and trapped form hovering below him.

  • You still need room to hook in below the square knot to rappel down.

  • Searing pain shot through his shoulder and he realized he barely had the strength to halt another rappel.

More sentences

Also Mentioned In

Words near rappel in the Dictionary