belay

American  

[bih-ley] / bɪˈleɪ /

verb (used with object)

belayed, belaying

1. Nautical. to fasten (a rope) by winding around a pin or short rod inserted in a holder so that both ends of the rod are clear.

2. Mountain Climbing.

   1. to secure (a person) by attaching to one end of a rope.

   2. to secure (a rope) by attaching to a person or to an object offering stable support.

3. (used chiefly in the imperative)

   1. to cease (an action); stop.

   2. to ignore (an announcement, order, etc.).

      Belay that, the meeting will be at 0900 instead of 0800.

---

verb (used without object)

belayed, belaying

1. to belay a rope.

   Belay on that cleat over there.

noun

1. Mountain Climbing. a rock, bush, or other object sturdy enough for a running rope to be passed around it to secure a hold.

belay British  

/ bɪˈleɪ /

verb

1. nautical to make fast (a line) by securing to a pin, cleat, or bitt

2. (usually imperative) nautical to stop; cease

3. mountaineering to secure (a climber) to a mountain by tying the rope off round a rock spike, piton, nut, etc

---

noun

1. mountaineering the attachment (of a climber) to a mountain by tying the rope off round a rock spike, piton, nut, etc, to safeguard the party in the event of a fall See also running belay

Etymology

Origin of belay

before 900; Middle English beleggen, Old English belecgan. See be-, lay ¹