Belay \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.

Belay thee! Stop.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)