abseil
abseil Lexical Profile
abseil Game Scores & Validity
• verb
British To descend a steep rock face or other near-vertical surface by using a doubled rope coiled round the body or passed through a harness device and fixed at a higher point.
"Experienced climbers taught the beginners how to abseil safely down the cliff face."
• noun
British A controlled descent down a steep rock face or vertical drop using a doubled rope coiled around the body or passed through a friction device and secured to a higher point.
"The mountain rescue team completed a challenging sixty-meter abseil into the gorge."
Word Nuance & Usage
"Abseil" is the standard term in British, Australian, and New Zealand English, whereas "rappel" is the preferred equivalent in North American English.
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the early 20th century from the German verb abseilen, formed from ab- ("down") and Seil ("rope").