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Glite Dictionary
🧗 Rope controller ⚓ Rope fastener
belayer

belayer

1 8.4
A person who holds the safety rope for a climber
  • noun
  • /bɪˈleɪər/
  • Jargon
translation icon : asegurador
  • The belayer adjusted the tension in the rope, preventing the climber from falling far.
  • belayer controls the rope
  • belayer watches the climber

Examples

  • The rope is then run through the anchor, and one end attaches to the climber and the other to the belayer.

    Blog text (17)

  • I opted to start as the belayer, which meant I stayed at the bottom of the cliff, and it was my job to keep the rope taut during my partner's climb to prevent them from hitting the ground if they fell.

    Blog text (17)

  • The belayer ensures the climber's safety by managing the rope during the ascent.

  • As the climber reached the top, her belayer celebrated her success with a smile.

Surface Forms

belayer singular
belayers plural

Morphology

belayer = belay (transparent) = belay + er

Standard agent noun from 'belay' used in climbing; the role is directly derived from the verb.

Etymology

Belayer comes from the verb belay, from the parts be- and lay, meaning 'to make fast' or 'to secure'. Climbers borrowed this ship word because a belayer also 'makes the rope secure' for the climber, keeping them safe.