cleat

cleat  (klt)

n.

1. A strip of wood or iron used to strengthen or support the surface to which it is attached.

2.

a. A projecting piece of metal or hard rubber attached to the underside of a shoe to provide traction.

b. cleats A pair of shoes with such projections on the soles.

3. A piece of metal or wood having projecting arms or ends on which a rope can be wound or secured.

4. A wedge-shaped piece of material, such as wood, that is fastened onto something, such as a spar, to act as a support or prevent slippage.

5. A spurlike device used in gripping a tree or pole in climbing.

tr.v. cleat·ed, cleat·ing, cleats

To supply, support, secure, or strengthen with a cleat.

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[Middle English clete, from Old English *clat, lump, wedge.]

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cleat

Noun

1. a wedge-shaped block attached to a structure to act as a support

2. a piece of wood or iron with two projecting ends round which ropes are fastened [Germanic]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	cleat - a metal or leather projection (as from the sole of a shoe); prevents slipping calk, calkin - a metal cleat on the bottom front of a horseshoe to prevent slipping cleats - shoes with leather or metal projections on the soles; "the football players all wore cleats" projection - any structure that branches out from a central support
	2.	cleat - a fastener (usually with two projecting horns) around which a rope can be secured fastening, holdfast, fastener, fixing - restraint that attaches to something or holds something in place
	3.	cleat - a strip of wood or metal used to strengthen the surface to which it is attached strip - thin piece of wood or metal
Verb	1.	cleat - provide with cleats; "cleat running shoes for better traction" furnish, provide, supply, render - give something useful or necessary to; "We provided the room with an electrical heater"
	2.	cleat - secure on a cleat; "cleat a line" fasten, fix, secure - cause to be firmly attached; "fasten the lock onto the door"; "she fixed her gaze on the man"