ladder

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: runravel

WordNet 3.0

Noun (3)

  1. steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down
  2. ascending stages by which somebody or something can progress“he climbed the career ladder”
  3. a row of unravelled stitches“she got a run in her stocking”Synonyms: runravel

Verb (1)

  1. come unraveled or undone as if by snagging“Her nylons were running”Synonyms: run
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Ladder \Lad"der\ (l[a^]d"d[~e]r), n. [OE. laddre, AS. hl[=ae]der, hl[=ae]dder; akin to OFries. hladder, OHG. leitara, G. leiter, and from the root of E. lean, v. [root]40. See Lean, v. i., and cf. Climax.]

1.A frame usually portable, of wood, metal, or rope, for ascent and descent, consisting of two side pieces to which are fastened cross strips or rounds forming steps. [1913 Webster]

Some the engines play, And some, more bold, mount ladders to the fire.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

2.That which resembles a ladder in form or use; hence, that by means of which one attains to eminence; as, to climb the corporate ladder. [1913 Webster +PJC]

Lowliness is young ambition's ladder.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

Fish ladder. See under Fish.

Ladder beetle (Zool.), an American leaf beetle (Chrysomela scalaris). The elytra are silvery white, striped and spotted with green; the under wings are rose-colored. It feeds upon the linden tree.

Ladder handle, an iron rail at the side of a vertical fixed ladder, to grasp with the hand in climbing.

Ladder shell (Zool.), a spiral marine shell of the genus Scalaria. See Scalaria. [1913 Webster]

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