cleat

Meanings

Noun

• A strip of wood or iron fastened on transversely to something in order to give strength, prevent warping, hold position, etc.
• A continuous metal strip, or angled piece, used to secure metal components.
• A device to quickly affix a line or rope, and from which it is also easy to release. File:Cleat 04.jpg|thumb|Nautical cleat
• A protrusion on the bottom of a shoe meant for better traction. (See cleats.)

Verb

• To strengthen with a cleat.
• To tie off, affix, stopper a line or rope, especially to a cleat.

Origin

• From Middle English clete, from Old English *clēat, clēot, from Proto-Germanic *klautaz, from Proto-Indo-European *gelewd-, from *gley-. Cognate with Dutch kloot ("ball; testicle") and German Kloß. See also clay and clout.