/ ˈbiːleɪ; NAmE ; bɪˈleɪ/ verb
[ v , vn ] ( technical ) ( in climbing ) to attach a rope to a rock, etc.; to make a person safe while climbing by attaching a rope to the person and to a rock, etc.
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (originally in nautical use): from be- + the verb lay , on the pattern of Dutch beleggen .