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n. A descent from a height, such as a cliff or wall, in which one slides down an anchored rope and applies friction to control one's speed, either by means of a specialized device or by passing the rope under one thigh and over the opposite shoulder. intr.v. rap·pelled, rap·pel·ling, rap·pels To descend from a steep height by this method. [French, recall, return, rappel, from Old French, recall, from rapeler, to recall : re-, re- + apeler, to summon; see APPEAL.]  (click for a larger image) rappel |
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