WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Be*lay", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Belaid
Part of Speech : Belayed;
Etymology : [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.]
Definition : 1. To lay on or cover; to adorn. [Obs.] Jacket . . . belayed with silver lace. Spenser.

2. (Naut.)

Defn: 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. Belay thee! Stop.

p. pr. & vb. n. Belaying.]
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913