v.
Pronunciation: bi- ' l ā , b ē -
Function: verb
Inflected Form: be · layed ; be · lay · ing
Etymology: Middle English beleggen to beset, from Old English belecgan, from be- + lecgan to lay
Date: 1549
transitive verb
1 a : to secure (as a rope) by turns around a cleat, pin, or bitt b : to make fast
2 : STOP
3 a : to secure (a person) at the end of a rope b : to secure (a rope) to a person or object
intransitive verb
1 : to be made fast
2 : STOP , QUIT ― used in the imperative < belay there>
3 : to make a line fast by turns around a cleat, pin, or bitt
– be · lay · er \ - ə r \ noun