Etymology

abseil

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Today it means: To descend a steep or vertical drop using a rope with a mechanical friction device or (classic abseil) by wrapping the rope around the body. Full definition →

First used First attested in the mid 20th century.German abseilen
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The story

  1. German · borrowed fromabseilen
  2. English todayabseil

From German abseilen, from ab- (“down”) + Seil (“rope”).

First known use, by meaning

  • First attested in the mid 20th century. To descend a steep or vertical drop using a rope with a mechanical friction device or (classic abseil) by wrapping the rope around the body.
  • First attested in the mid 20th century. A descent in mountaineering using a rope looped at the top and a friction device.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.