cleat

Meanings

1. A strip of wood or iron fastened on transversely to something in order to give strength, prevent warping, hold position, etc.
2. A continuous metal strip, or angled piece, used to secure metal components.
3. A device to quickly affix a line or rope, and from which it is also easy to release.
4. A protrusion on the bottom of a shoe or wheel meant for better traction.
5. An athletic shoe equipped with cleats.

1. To strengthen with a cleat.
2. To tie off, affix, stopper a line or rope, especially to a cleat.

Etymology

From Middle English clete, from Old English *clēat (“block, wedge”), from Proto-West Germanic *klaut, from Proto-Germanic *klautaz (“firm lump”), from Proto-Indo-European *gelewd-, from *gley- (“to glue, stick together, form into a ball”). Cognate with Dutch kloot (“ball; testicle”) and German Kloß (“clump”). See also clay and clout.