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

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

to descend by rope from a helicopter

noun

an instance or the technique of abseiling

Also called: rappel

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

to descend by rappelling

noun

such a descent

Word origin of 'abseil'

Ger abseilen < ab, down + seil, a rope

Example sentences containing 'abseil'

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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)