abseil

[ ahp-zahyl, ab-seyl ]

noun

1. rappel.

abseil

/ ˈæbsaɪl /

verb

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

1. an instance or the technique of abseiling

Word History and Origins

Origin of abseil¹

1930–35; < German abseilen ( ab- down + seilen to rope)

Word History and Origins

Origin of abseil¹

C20: from German abseilen to descend by a rope, from ab- down + Seil rope

Example Sentences

One person who wasn't impressed by Prince Andrew's abseil down the Shard: writer Grace Dent.

From The Daily Beast