To descend a steep incline, cliff, or rope using climbing equipment and a harness system; also called rappelling.
From German 'Abseilen', formed from 'ab-' (down) and 'Seil' (rope). British climbers adopted the German term in the mid-20th century, and it became standard in English mountaineering and military training.
German mountaineers invented the term and the technique, and English climbers borrowed both—'abseil' shows how specialized activities develop their own international vocabulary!
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