belaying pin

a short, round bar of metal or wood, inserted in a fife rail or pin rail, to which a rope is belayed.

Origin of belaying pin

First recorded in 1830–40

belaud, belay, belaya, belaya tserkov, belaying cleat, belaying pin, belaúnde, belch, beld, beldam, beleaguer

Then the cables were held taut, and securely fastened to the belaying-pin.

The Plant Hunters |Mayne Reid
A hatchet was raised above his head, but the belaying-pin cracked the wrist that held it and it clattered to the deck.

Caybigan |James Hopper
There was no creeping along a few feet at a time, holding on by rope and belaying-pin, with the spray dashing over the side.

Sail Ho! |George Manville Fenn
Reeling and staggering to the fore-rigging, I clutched at and hung on to a belaying-pin, and looked about me fore-and-aft.

The Log of a Privateersman |Harry Collingwood

A moment Briggs stood drunkenly peering, half minded to pursue, to match his belaying-pin against the mates dirk.

Cursed |George Allan England

belaying pin

nautical a cylindrical, sometimes tapered pin, usually of metal or wood, that fits into a hole in a pin or fife rail: used for belaying