noun
Gaston
GAS-tuhn
noun
1
In rock climbing, a move where a climber pushes sideways on a hold with the thumb pointing down and the elbow out, rather than pulling.
"He set up a gaston on the small edge to keep his balance across the traverse."
verb
1
To use this sideways-pushing grip on a climbing hold.
"She had to gaston the sloping hold just to reach the next ledge."
How to Use Gaston
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA climbing move where you push a hold sideways instead of pulling it.
Memory tip
Mostly used by rock climbers as jargon — not a word you will need in everyday conversation.
Trace the full origin ↓Word Forms
gastoned past tense, gastons plural, gastons singular
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He set up a _____ on the small edge to keep his balance across the traverse.
Etymology
Named after French climber Gaston Rébuffat, credited with popularizing the technique.