To descend a vertical face using a rope with a mechanical friction device; to rappel
{i} method of descending a mountain face by sliding down a rope which is fastened to an overhead projection (Mountain Climbing)
a rapid method of descent using a rope to slide down, a cliff face, for example allt - a burn, stream, a small river aonach - a mountain ridge, a hill, a moor, as in Aonach Mor avalanche - the sliding away of surface material from a mountain, especially snow
{f} rappel, descend a mountain face by sliding down a rope which is fastened to an overhead projection (Mountain Climbing)
To descend a rope using a mechanical device for friction, allowing control over the rate of descent
a descent down a nearly vertical surface by using a doubled rope that is coiled around the body and attached to some higher point
Controlled descent on a rope using friction obtained by passing the rope through any of various devices, eg rack, descender, karabiners Safety considerations in caving would preclude abseling without a mechanical device Climbing and SRT Ref JJ
To abseil down a cliff or rock face means to slide down it in a controlled way using a rope, with your feet against the cliff or rock
lower oneself with a double rope coiled around the body from a mountainside; "The ascent was easy--roping down the mountain would be much more difficult and dangerous"; "You have to learn how to abseil when you want to do technical climbing"