belay

Meanings

1. To make (a rope) fast by turning it around a fastening point such as a cleat.
2. To handle a climbing rope to prevent (a climber) from falling to the ground.
3. To lay aside; to stop; to cancel.
4. The general command to stop or cease.
5. To surround; to environ; to enclose.
6. To overlay; to adorn.
7. To besiege; invest; surround.
8. To lie in wait for in order to attack; block up or obstruct.

1. The securing of a rope to a rock or other sturdy object.
2. The object to which a rope is secured.
3. A location at which a climber stops and builds an anchor with which to secure their partner.

1. simple past of belie (“encompass”)

1. A surname.

Etymology

From Middle English beleggen, bileggen, from Old English beleċġan (“to cover, invest, surround, afflict, attribute to, charge with, accuse”), From Proto-West Germanic *bilaggjan, equivalent to be- (“about, around”) + lay. Cognate with Dutch beleggen (“to cover, overlay, belay”), German belegen (“to cover, occupy, belay”), Swedish belägga (“to pave”).