rappel

[ra-pel, ruh-]

noun

1. (in mountaineering) the act or method of moving down a steep incline or past an overhang by means of a double rope secured above and placed around the body, usually under the left thigh and over the right shoulder, and paid out gradually in the descent.

verb (used without object)

rappelled, rappelling 

1. to descend by means of a rappel.

rappel

/ ræˈpɛl /

verb

1. another word (esp US) for abseil

noun

1. another word (esp US) for abseil

2. (formerly) a drumbeat to call soldiers to arms

Word History and Origins

Origin of rappel¹

1930–35; < French: mountaineering term, literally, a recall. See repeal

Word History and Origins

Origin of rappel¹

C19: from French, from rappeler to call back, from Latin appellāre to summon

Example Sentences

He had finished the climb and was hauling up equipment when he likely rappelled off the end of his rope, Dylan said.

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“On the way down he rappelled off the end of the rope.”

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“Being on a high-rise building and rappelling down.”

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A Long Beach man became trapped while rappelling amid waterfalls in the Sequoia National Forest, according to officials.

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On a recent afternoon at the city’s aging police academy, young officers rappelled down walls and simulated hand-to-hand combat.

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