self-arresting
adjectiveUK /ˌself əˈrestɪŋ/
US /ˌself əˈrestɪŋ/
Stopping yourself from falling by using your own body or tools.
The climber used a self-arresting technique with his ice axe to stop sliding down the slope.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. Able to stop itself from moving or slipping without outside help.
The self-arresting mechanism on the machine kicked in before it could roll away.
3. In climbing, a method where a person uses their body position and gear to halt a fall.
Practicing self-arresting moves is an important part of glacier travel training.
4. Describing a device or system that automatically brings itself to a stop.
The self-arresting winch locked the cable when tension dropped suddenly.