In rock climbing, a person who operates the belay device to manage the rope and provide safety to the climber.
From 'belay' (nautical/climbing term) plus '-er' (agent suffix). The climbing sense of 'belayer' developed as climbing became systematized with safety equipment in the 20th century.
A belayer holds your life in their hands—it's one of climbing's most critical roles, and the word has shifted from nautical terminology to become essential safety vocabulary in modern sport climbing.
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