belay
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.
Mountain Climbing.
to secure (a person) by attaching to one end of a rope.
to secure (a rope) by attaching to a person or to an object offering stable support.
(used chiefly in the imperative)
to cease (an action); stop.
to ignore (an announcement, order, etc.): Belay that, the meeting will be at 0900 instead of 0800.
to belay a rope: Belay on that cleat over there.
Mountain Climbing. a rock, bush, or other object sturdy enough for a running rope to be passed around it to secure a hold.
Origin of belay
1Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use belay in a sentence
Passing a stopper, my lad, means to wrap a rope about a fall while another belays it.
The Battleship Boys at Sea | Frank Gee PatchinWhen the tack cringle is low enough he belays the halliards and ties down the tack.
On Yachts and Yacht Handling | Thomas Fleming DayIn the case of a balloon-foresail its sheet leads outside the lee rigging and belays somewhere aft.
Yachting Vol. 1 | Various.No. 11 chokes luff of train-tackle, or hitches it, if required; provides and hooks tackle of muzzle-purchase; belays and lowers.
Ordnance Instructions for the United States Navy. | Bureau of Ordnance, USNNo. 12 provides and hooks tackle of breech-purchase; belays and lowers.
Ordnance Instructions for the United States Navy. | Bureau of Ordnance, USN
British Dictionary definitions for belay
/ (bɪˈleɪ) /
nautical to make fast (a line) by securing to a pin, cleat, or bitt
(usually imperative) nautical to stop; cease
(ˈbiːˌleɪ) mountaineering to secure (a climber) to a mountain by tying the rope off round a rock spike, piton, nut, etc
(ˈbiːˌleɪ) 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
Origin of belay
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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