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cleat (klēt)
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n.
1. A strip of wood or iron used to strengthen or support the surface to which it is attached.
2.
a. A projecting piece of metal or hard rubber attached to the underside of a shoe to provide traction.
b. cleats A pair of shoes with such projections on the soles.
3.
a. A piece of metal or wood having projecting arms or ends on which a rope can be wound or secured.
b. Any of various other fittings by means of which a rope can be secured.
4. A wedge-shaped piece of material, such as wood, that is fastened onto something, such as a spar, to act as a support or prevent slippage.
5. A spurlike device used in gripping a tree or pole in climbing.
tr.v. cleat·ed, cleat·ing, cleats
To supply, support, secure, or strengthen with a cleat.
[Middle English clete, from Old English *clēat, lump, wedge.]
(click for a larger image)
cleat
mooring cleat
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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