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to rappel

to rappel

7 8.9
To slide down a rope while controlling your speed
  • verb
  • /ræˈpɛl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : rappelar
  • Thrill seekers will rappel off the 11-story Hotel Blackhawk in downtown Davenport on October 31 to make the inaugural Over the Edge Quad Cities event a success.
  • rappel down the cliff
  • rope to rappel
  • prepare to rappel

Like they thought they were rappelling into the home and it was like, what?

Examples

Synonyms

to descend
vsto rappel
150 2.7

Move from a higher to a lower place

is specific to sliding down vertical surfaces using rope and control gear
to rope down
vsto rappel
  • Jargon
1 7.2

To go down a steep cliff using a rope

has identical meaning but is the single word technical form used often
to abseil
vsto rappel
  • UK
1 8.5

To go down a steep cliff or wall using a rope

focuses on controlling speed with special equipment rather than anchor details

Antonyms

54 4.0

To move upward to a higher place, for example up a hill or into the sky

How Controlled

to rappel
  • Specialized
7 8.9
lower
102 1.0
to descend
150 2.7
to climb down
29 1.4
slip
8 1.0

Surface Forms

rappel infinitive
rappeled past
rappeled past participle
rappelling present participle
rappels third person singular

Etymology

Rappel comes from the French rappeler 'to call back', with re- 'again' and appeler 'to call', the same idea as recall. Think of 'calling yourself back' down the rock with a rope, which is why to rappel means to go down a steep rock face while you control the rope.