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belay
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As a verb, belay means make (a rope) fast by turning it around a fastening point such as a cleat. As a noun, it means the securing of a rope to a rock or other projection.
Meanings of belay
13 meaningsverb
nauticalTo make (a rope) fast by turning it around a fastening point such as a cleat.
climbingTo handle a climbing rope to prevent (a climber) from falling to the ground.
“He would need an experienced partner to belay him on the difficult climbs.”
To lay aside; stop; cancel.
“I could only hope the remaining piton would belay his fall.”
“Belay that order!”
nauticalThe general command to stop or cease.
Turn a rope round an object or person in order to secure it or them
Fasten a boat to a bitt, pin, or cleat
Older and rare meanings (4)
obsoleteTo surround; environ; enclose.
obsoleteTo overlay; adorn.
obsoleteTo besiege; invest; surround.
obsoleteTo lie in wait for in order to attack; block up or obstruct.
Simple past tense of belie ("encompass")
noun
climbingThe securing of a rope to a rock or other projection.
climbingThe object to which a rope is secured.
climbingA location at which a climber stops and builds an anchor with which to secure their partner.
Meanings from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).