Definition of Abseil

Noun: abseil 'ab,seyl or 'ab,sI(-u)l
Usage: Brit (N. Amer: rappel)

(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
- rappel

Verb: abseil 'ab,seyl or 'ab,sI(-u)l
Usage: Brit (N. Amer: rappel)

(sport) lower oneself with a rope coiled around the body from a mountainside
"You have to learn how to abseil when you want to do technical climbing";
- rappel, rope down