Be*lay" (&?;), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Belaid, Belayed (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Belaying.] [For senses 1 & 2, D. beleggen to cover, belay; akin to E. pref. be-, and lay to place: for sense 3, OE. beleggen, AS. belecgan. See pref. Be-, and Lay to place.] 1. To lay on or cover; to adorn. [Obs.]

Jacket . . . belayed with silver lace.
Spenser.

2. (Naut.) To make fast, as a rope, by taking several turns with it round a pin, cleat, or kevel. Totten.

3. To lie in wait for with a view to assault. Hence: to block up or obstruct. [Obs.] Dryden.

• (nautical) to make a rope fast by turning it round a cleat or belaying pin
  
• the general command to stop or cease
  
• (climbing) to secure a climber at the end of a rope
  
• (climbing) The securing of a rope to a rock or other projection; the object to which the rope is secured