belaying pin

American  

noun

Nautical.

1. a short, round bar of metal or wood, inserted in a fife rail or pin rail, to which a rope is belayed.

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belaying pin British  

noun

1. nautical a cylindrical, sometimes tapered pin, usually of metal or wood, that fits into a hole in a pin or fife rail: used for belaying

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Etymology

Origin of belaying pin

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

Skipper Mike Frenette put an end to the snapper's antics with a hit from the aluminum belaying pin that would have done Barry Bonds proud.

From Time Magazine Archive

Though they looked healthy enough to chew a belaying pin, the question was whether they would later die of radiation disease.

From Time Magazine Archive

Dick dropped the belaying pin and ran forward.

From The Blue Lagoon: a romance by Stacpoole, H. De Vere (Henry De Vere)

Somebody—maybe it was Marr—bounced a belaying pin over his figurehead.

From The Ice Pilot by Leverage, Henry

The second mate lifted a belaying pin from the pinrail and pounded upon the deck like a policeman pounds on the pavement.

From The Ice Pilot by Leverage, Henry