English Dictionary | Thesaurus | Translator | COBUILD Grammar Patterns | Scrabble | Blog
  • English
  • This page in
    American
    Italiano
    Deutsch
    Español
    Português
    हिंदी
    简体中文
| Sign Up | Log In
 
English
Menu
English Dictionary Thesaurus Translator Grammar Scrabble Blog
  • English
  • This page in
    American
    Italiano
    Deutsch
    Español
    Português
    हिंदी
    简体中文
Sign Up Log In

Definition of 'abseil'

Word Frequency

abseil

(æbseɪl )
Word forms: 3rd person singular present tense abseils , present participle abseiling , past tense, past participle abseiled
verb
To abseil down a cliff or rock face means to slide down it in a controlled way using a rope, with your feet against the cliff or rock.
[British]
The man and his son Mark had abseiled down the sheer cliffs. [V down n]
regional note:   in AM, use rappel
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word Frequency

abseil in British

(ˈæbseɪl )
verb (intransitive)
1. mountaineering
to descend a steep slope or vertical drop by a rope secured from above and coiled around one's body or through karabiners attached to one's body in order to control the speed of descent
2. 
to descend by rope from a helicopter
noun
3. 
an instance or the technique of abseiling
Also called: rappel
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin of 'abseil'
C20: from German abseilen to descend by a rope, from ab- down + Seil rope
Word Frequency

abseil in American

(ˈɑpˌzaɪl ; äpˈzīlˌ; ˈɑpˌsaɪl ; äpˈsīlˌ; ˈɑbˌzaɪl ; äbˈzīlˌ; ˈɑbˌsaɪl ; äbˈsīlˌ)
verb intransitive
1. 
to descend by rappelling
noun
2. 
such a descent
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word origin of 'abseil'
Ger abseilen < ab, down + seil, a rope

Example sentences containing 'abseil'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…
Other activities range from abseiling and archery to caving. Times, Sunday Times (2008)It can be used for activities including abseiling and climbing. Times, Sunday Times (2012)Reaching the nests often involves abseiling down sheer cliff faces and only one egg may be taken from each clutch. The Sun (2014)Activities include abseiling, archery and raft building. Times, Sunday Times (2007)They went climbing and abseiling, camping in the rain. Times, Sunday Times (2010)The 13-year-old company uses abseiling techniques to carry out construction and other services in difficult locations. Times, Sunday Times (2012)The trip sees the pair clinging to the side of a helicopter before abseiling down a cliff face and camping in a cave. The Sun (2014)Most activity centres will have a climbing wall, which also allows abseiling and rope handling to be taught. Times, Sunday Times (2012)I loved aerobics, windsurfing and outdoor sports like abseiling and canoeing. The Sun (2012)FIVE schoolboys rescued a walker and his pet dog from a narrow ledge on a cliff by pulling them up on abseiling ropes. The Sun (2008)Activities include abseiling, climbing, cycling and canoeing. Times, Sunday Times (2014)Frankly, it's so steep that an abseiling rope would be a more suitable means of descent. Times, Sunday Times (2009)

Trends of 'abseil'

Used Rarely. abseil is in the lower 50% of commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

View usage for:

Nearby words of 'abseil'

  • abscond
  • abscondence
  • absconding
  • abseil
  • abseiling
  • absence
  • absence of mind

  • All ENGLISH words that begin with 'A'

Source

Definition of abseil from the Collins English Dictionary

Should

The modal verb should is used in the following ways: to talk about moral obligation. Compare ought to on Ought to. They should do what you suggest. People should report this sort of thing to ...
Read more about 'Should'
Word of the day:
triplane
an aeroplane having three wings arranged one above the other
See full definition
Apr 21, 2018
Fed up with the great British weather? Here’s how to afford that dream summer escape
From planning early to knowing where to look, these top tips will help you fulfil your summer holiday desires
Read more
The etymology behind 4 eggs-ellent Springtime words
We’ve explored the diverse etymology of 4 eggs-ellent words associated with spring.
Read more
Up Lit, Alexa Laugh & Meet Me at McDonald’s Hair: March’s Words In The News
Catch up on the latest words in the news this March with Robert Groves.
Read more
Join the Collins community
All the latest wordy news, linguistic insights, offers and competitions every month.
Read more
Scrabble score for 'abseil': 8
Latest Word Submissions
Barrecore Apr 18, 2018
wido Apr 18, 2018
centimorgan Apr 17, 2018
gender expansive Apr 16, 2018
Carthritis Apr 15, 2018
Submit View More
Browse the English Dictionary
  • #
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
  • X
  • Y
  • Z
View all dictionaries...
  • View more
  • API
  • B2B Partnerships
  • Advertising
  • Word Banks
  • Collins COBUILD
  • Collins ELT
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Contact us
  • Languages
  • English
  • Thesaurus
  • Grammar
  • French
  • German
  • Spanish
  • Italian
  • Chinese
  • Portuguese
  • Hindi
  • Word Lists
  • Word of the Year
  • Scrabble
  • COBUILD Anniversary
© Collins 2018