belaying pin

American  

noun

Nautical.

1. a short, round bar of metal or wood, inserted in a fife rail or pin rail, to which a rope is belayed.

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belaying pin British  

noun

1. nautical a cylindrical, sometimes tapered pin, usually of metal or wood, that fits into a hole in a pin or fife rail: used for belaying

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Etymology

Origin of belaying pin

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

Skipper Mike Frenette put an end to the snapper's antics with a hit from the aluminum belaying pin that would have done Barry Bonds proud.

From Time Magazine Archive

Though they looked healthy enough to chew a belaying pin, the question was whether they would later die of radiation disease.

From Time Magazine Archive

Dick dropped the belaying pin and ran forward.

From The Blue Lagoon: a romance by Stacpoole, H. De Vere (Henry De Vere)

"Shove orf, me son," added Bill Blunt and squinted along his belaying pin straight at Leyden.

From Gold Out of Celebes by Dingle, Aylward Edward

Dennis snatched up a belaying pin and brought it with all his force against the door, but made no impression on its stout timbers.

From With Drake on the Spanish Main by Strang, Herbert