Antonyms for belay


Grammar : Verb
Spell : bih-ley
Phonetic Transcription : bɪˈleɪ


Definition of belay

Origin :
  • from Old English bilecgan, which, among other senses, meant "to lay a thing about" (with other objects), from be- + lecgan "to lay" (see lay (v.)). The only surviving sense is the nautical one of "coil a running rope round a cleat or pin to secure it" (also transferred to mountain-climbing), first attested 1540s; but this is possibly a cognate word, from Dutch beleggen.
  • verb stop
Example sentences :
  • The order was given to belay the head braces, and we waited the result in silence.
  • Extract from : « Ned Myers » by James Fenimore Cooper
  • By the time a voice on board her cried, "Belay," faintly, she had gone from my sight.
  • Extract from : « Romance » by Joseph Conrad and F.M. Hueffer
  • Well there with the throat-halliards; well with the peak; belay!
  • Extract from : « The Pirate Slaver » by Harry Collingwood
  • “Belay that sea-lawyering, Marline,” interposed Captain Miles.
  • Extract from : « The White Squall » by John Conroy Hutcheson
  • “Belay that,” said Captain Miles, rousing up now and rubbing his eyes.
  • Extract from : « The White Squall » by John Conroy Hutcheson
  • There now, old man, just belay all that, and let me finish my snooze.
  • Extract from : « Salt Water » by W. H. G. Kingston
  • “After that round turn, you may belay,” cried young Tom, laughing.
  • Extract from : « Jacob Faithful » by Captain Frederick Marryat
  • None of the four that remained could do more than haul aft and belay a sheet.
  • Extract from : « The Celebrity, Complete » by Winston Churchill
  • He did not belay the tired animal with a whip and curse and swear at him in his helplessness.
  • Extract from : « My Wonderful Visit » by Charlie Chaplin
  • All he has to do when on a wind is to take and harden in all he can, and belay.
  • Extract from : « Yachting Vol. 1 » by Various.

Synonyms for belay

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019