cleat

[kleet] /klit/
noun
1.
a wedge-shaped block fastened to a surface to serve as a check or support:
He nailed cleats into the sides of the bookcase to keep the supports from slipping.
2.
a strip of metal, wood, or the like, fastened across a surface, as a ramp or gangway, to provide sure footing or to maintain an object in place.
3.
a strip of wood, metal, etc., fastened across a surface, as of a plank or series of adjacent planks, for strength or support.
4.
a conical or rectangular projection, usually of hard rubber, or a metal strip with sharp projections, built into or attached to the sole of a shoe to provide greater traction.
5.
a shoe fitted with such projections.
6.
a metal plate fastened to the sole or heel of a shoe, to protect against wear.
7.
Shipbuilding. a hook-shaped piece of metal supporting a small structural member.
8.
Also called belaying cleat. Nautical. an object of wood or metal having one or two projecting horns to which ropes may be belayed, especially as fixed to the deck, bulkhead, or stanchion of a vessel.
9.
the cleavage plane of coal as found in a mine.
verb (used with object)
10.
to supply or strengthen with cleats; fasten to or with a cleat.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English clete wedge, cognate with Old High German klōz lump, ball, Dutch kloot; akin to clot
Examples from the web for cleat
  • Colin added several millimeters of shims to my left cleat, effectively making my leg a little longer.
  • Secure both ends of your bow line to your bow cleat.
  • The cleat is used to secure the cable and to provide a convenient depth index during the data collection process.
  • The backing plate provides a firmer attachment for the cleat, with only a minimal increase in the sole's stiffness.
  • cleat both ends of your bow line to the bow of your boat.
  • Secure one end of the cleat with two nails and the cleat folded back over the nailheads.
  • These variations are a top hinge, a top cleat, a side hinge and a side pivot design.
British Dictionary definitions for cleat

cleat

/kliːt/
noun
1.
a wedge-shaped block, usually of wood, attached to a structure to act as a support
2.
a device consisting of two hornlike prongs projecting horizontally in opposite directions from a central base, used for securing lines on vessels, wharves, etc
3.
a short length of angle iron used as a bracket
4.
a piece of metal, leather, etc, attached to the sole of a shoe to prevent wear or slipping
5.
a small triangular-shaped nail used in glazing
6.
any of the main cleavage planes in a coal seam
verb (transitive)
7.
to supply or support with a cleat or cleats
8.
to secure (a line) on a cleat
Word Origin
C14: of Germanic origin, compare Old High German chlōz clod, lump, Dutch kloot ball
Word Origin and History for cleat
n.

c.1300, clete "wedge," from Old English *cleat "a lump," from West Germanic *klaut "firm lump" (cf. Middle Low German klot, klute, Middle Dutch cloot, Dutch kloot, Old High German kloz, German kloß "clod, dumpling"). In Middle English, a wedge of wood bolted to a spar, etc., to keep it from slipping (late 14c.). Meaning "thin metal plate for shoes, etc." is c.1825.