I. bi-ˈlā, bē- verb
( 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 -ər noun
II. noun
Date: 1908
1. : the securing of a person or a safety rope to an anchor point (as during mountain climbing) ; also : a method of so securing a person or rope
2. : something (as a projection of rock) to which a person or rope is anchored