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belay

be·lay [ bi láy ]


transitive and intransitive verb  (past and past participle be·layed, present participle be·lay·ing, 3rd person present singular be·lays)
Definition:
 
1. nautical fasten line on ship: to fasten a rope or line to a securing point on a ship or boat

2. climbing secure rope: to fasten or control the rope to which a climber is attached by wrapping it around a metal device or another person

3. nautical stop: to stop doing something, or not follow an earlier instruction ( used as a command )



noun  (plural be·lays)
Definition:
 
1. securing of climber's rope: the fastening or controlling of a climber's rope by wrapping it around a metal device or another person, or the method by which this is done

2. fastening point: the point to which a climber's rope is fastened

[ Old English belecgan "surround" < Germanic]
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