abseil

[ ahp-zahyl, ab-seyl ]

noun

1. rappel.

abseil

/ ˈæbsaɪl /

verb

1. mountaineering to descend a steep slope or vertical drop by a rope secured from above and coiled around one's body or through karabiners attached to one's body in order to control the speed of descent
2. to descend by rope from a helicopter

noun

1. an instance or the technique of abseiling

Word History and Origins

Origin of abseil¹

1930–35; < German abseilen ( ab- down + seilen to rope)

Word History and Origins

Origin of abseil¹

C20: from German abseilen to descend by a rope, from ab- down + Seil rope

Example Sentences

After managing to abseil down the mountain face to some melting ice, the two women managed to catch some water in their bottles.

From BBC

After completing the abseil, Ms Woodhouse said she had found it "quite easy".

From BBC

But, she said, this cave is so deep that astronauts might need to abseil in and use “jet packs or a lift” to get out.

From BBC

BBC reporter John Maguire joined an access specialist team to abseil down the Ferris wheel and give it a fresh coat of paint.

From BBC

The only option for rescuers was to go above her and abseil down.

From BBC