rappel
Definition
Verb:
- To descend a vertical surface, such as a cliff or building, by using a rope that is wrapped around the body and secured at a higher point. This is a controlled technique used in climbing, mountaineering, and rescue operations.
Noun:
- The act or instance of descending by this method. It refers to the maneuver itself.
Usage Examples
Verb:
- The climbers will rappel down the 200-foot rock face.
- Before you can rappel, you must securely anchor the rope.
- She learned to rappel during her basic training.
Noun:
- The final rappel to the base of the canyon was exhilarating.
- His first rappel was a nerve-wracking experience.
- We completed three rappels during the descent.
Advanced Usage
- "To rappel down/off": This phrasal structure is commonly used to specify the surface being descended.
- The rescue team had to rappel down the side of the damaged building.
- He rappelled off the overhang smoothly.
Variants and Related Words
- Abseil (verb/noun): This is the more common term for "rappel" in British English and in many international climbing communities. The meaning is identical.
- The guide instructed us on how to abseil safely.
Synonyms
- Descend by rope: A descriptive phrase for the action.
- Rope down: An informal synonym.
- The soldiers roped down from the helicopter.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Rappel down: As shown in advanced usage, this is the standard phrasal verb.
- It took an hour to rappel down the entire cliff.
Related Idioms
There are no common idioms specifically using the word "rappel." The term is highly technical and used in its literal sense.
Noun
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(mountaineering) a descent of a vertical cliff or wall made by using a doubled rope that is fixed to a higher point and wrapped around the body
Verb
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lower oneself with a rope coiled around the body from a mountainside
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The ascent was easy--roping down the mountain would be much more difficult and dangerous
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You have to learn how to abseil when you want to do technical climbing
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