rappel
(in mountaineering) the act or method of moving down a steep incline or past an overhang by means of a double rope secured above and placed around the body, usually under the left thigh and over the right shoulder, and paid out gradually in the descent.
to descend by means of a rappel.
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Origin of rappel
1Words Nearby rappel
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use rappel in a sentence
They encountered problems near the canyon’s exit when Arvig overshot a small rock ledge, where he needed to re-anchor his rope for the final rappel to the ground.
What You Missed: Piolet d’Or Story Sparks Mountaineering Debate | Fred Dreier | November 30, 2021 | Outside OnlineI thought they’d get to the edge of the cliff, harness and helmet on, take a peek over the edge of a 1,000-foot-deep gorge, and back out of their first rappel.
Then we were taught how to both rappel and fast-rope from a helicopter.
A beener or D ring was attached to each trainee via a rappel seat that went around his waist and upper thighs.
In time the X Troop was trained to rappel and parachute; to use guns, bayonets and knives; and even to kill with bare hands.
He paraglided, scuba dived, and even tried to rappel down Mt. Rushmore before he was rebuffed by park officials.
Unfortunately Fox and rappel were beginning to tire; they sank deeper in the snow and no longer neighed joyfully.
The Man-Wolf and Other Tales | Emile Erckmann and Alexandre ChatrianThe darkness was now such that I thought it prudent to drop my bridle on rappel's neck.
The Man-Wolf and Other Tales | Emile Erckmann and Alexandre ChatrianTen times a day, or in the dead of night, the drum would beat le rappel or la générale.
The Martian | George Du MaurierSince six o'clock in the morning D'Aurelles had had the rappel beaten in the central quarters, but in vain.
History of the Commune of 1871 | P. LissagaryThe rappel had been beaten all night in the Batignolles, and had called out the sedentary guards and the youths.
History of the Commune of 1871 | P. Lissagary
British Dictionary definitions for rappel
/ (ræˈpɛl) /
another word (esp US) for abseil
(formerly) a drumbeat to call soldiers to arms
Origin of rappel
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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