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

Kate was the first to abseil down to the canoe to cross the lake.

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Finley has plans to abseil down a tower block at Southend Hospital on 16 May to raise money for the Mid and South Essex Hospitals Charity.

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In 2021 it was announced that the technicians would abseil down the bridge and use soap and water to clean the cables in an attempt to address the icing issue.

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Rui and Michael are being roped up as they encourage each other to abseil further into the cave.

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After managing to abseil down the mountain face to some melting ice, the two women managed to catch some water in their bottles.

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