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belay

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belay

Main Entry:: ¹be·lay
Pronunciation:: \bi-ˈlā, bē-\
Function:: verb
Inflected Form(s):: be·layed; be·lay·ing
Etymology:: Middle English beleggen to beset, from Old English belecgan, from be- + lecgan to lay
Date:: 1549

transitive verb1 a: to secure (as a rope) by turns around a cleat, pin, or bitt b: to make fast2: stop3 a: to secure (a person) at the end of a rope b: to secure (a rope) to a person or objectintransitive verb1: to be made fast2: stop, quit —used in the imperative <belay there>3: to make a line fast by turns around a cleat, pin, or bitt

— be·lay·er

Listen to the pronunciation of belayer

\-ər\ noun

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