carabiner

A carabiner is a closed hook used to secure ropes, especially in mountain climbing.

Carabiners consist of a D-shaped metal frame, about the size of your palm, with one side that opens using a spring-loaded mechanism called a springlock. Carabiners are used to easily clip ropes to harnesses or other hooks, such as in mountaineering.

Example: Before you start climbing, make sure you connect your carabiner to your harness and rope.

The word carabiner entered English some time around 1915, during World War I. The word ultimately has its roots in the German word Karabinerhaken, meaning “carbine hook”—a hook used to connect a soldier’s carbine (a type of rifle) to a strap. In English, the word was shortened to carabiner.

In today’s context, carabiners are mainly associated with adventurous, outdoor activities, especially rock climbing. In most cases, carabiners are designed to be used with one hand—so a rope can be easily attached to a hook—but there are many variations. Some have a twist lock or multiple hook closures.

Not all carabiners are meant to be strong enough for rock climbing. Some are used for situations that are not quite so life-and-death—such as attaching a tool or keychain to a belt loop.

What are some words that share a root or word element with carabiner?

• carbine
• carbineer

What are some words that often get used in discussing carabiner?

• mountaineering
• pulley
• springlock

What are some words carabiner may be commonly confused with?

• carbineer
• carabinier

Experienced climbers know the difference between the type of carabiner that holds them up on the side of the mountain and the one that holds a keychain.

Proper carabiner attachment to a harness D-ring is critical for safety. The issue is connection reliability in personal fall protection. Here is an aluminum triple locking carabiner. Few know that a gate will stick open from extreme wear and tear. Solutions? pic.twitter.com/9howLqpM6w

— Nigel Ellis (@NigelFall) January 9, 2020

"In their last session together, Cora left the therapist a parting gift – a carabiner. It is how, in the mountains, two climbers stay securely attached by rope, so that, if one stumbles, the link with the other will keep [them] from falling into the precipice"

— Running in Reykjavik (@Jim_Used_ToDrum) January 10, 2020

Jura Anchor Uses the AirPods Lightning Port to Add a Carabiner https://t.co/2BOmZVIqi9 by @julipuli pic.twitter.com/52s0GCGeLj

— MacRumors.com (@MacRumors) December 12, 2019

True or false?

A carabiner is an open hook.