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abseil

[ ahp-zahyl, ab-seyl ]

noun



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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


noun

  1. an instance or the technique of abseiling
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of abseil1

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

Origin of abseil1

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

How does abseil compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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Example Sentences

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

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