abseil

English

Etymology

From German abseilen, from ab- (“down”) + Seil (“rope”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈæb.seɪl/, /ˈæb.saɪl/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈɑpˌzaɪl/, /ˈɑpˌzaɪ.l̩/, /ˈɑbˌzaɪl/, /ˈæb.seɪl/

Verb

abseil (third-person singular simple present abseils, present participle abseiling, simple past and past participle abseiled)

1. (intransitive) To descend a steep or vertical drop using a rope with a mechanical friction device or (classic abseil) by wrapping the rope around the body; to rappel. [First attested in the mid 20th century.]

Synonyms

• rappel

Derived terms

• abseiler

Translations

to descend a vertical drop using a rope

• Dutch: abseilen (nl)
• French: descendre en rappel
• German: abseilen (de)

• Portuguese: rapelar
• Russian: спускаться на верёвке

Noun

abseil (plural abseils)

1. A descent in mountaineering using a rope looped at the top and a friction device. [First attested in the mid 20th century.]

Synonyms

• rappel

Translations

a descent by abseil

• Dutch: het abseilen, gezekerde afdaling

• Portuguese: rapel (pt) m

References

Anagrams

• Bailes, Blaise, Isabel, balise