1. Nautical: to secure or make fast (a rope, for example) by winding on a cleat or pin 2. to secure (a mountain climber, for example) at the end of a length of rope 3. to cause to stop
My son Ben had his first rock-climbing class at the Y on Saturday. The instructor showed us how to belay, and I learned a new word in the process.
I haven't heard that word used since my Coast Guard days! By the way, "rope" isn't used in nautical settings, where it becomes "line".