ladder shell

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Scalaria \Sca*la"ri*a\, n. [L., flight of steps.] (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of marine gastropods of the genus Scalaria, or family Scalaridae, having elongated spiral turreted shells, with rounded whorls, usually crossed by ribs or varices. The color is generally white or pale. Called also ladder shell, and wentletrap. See Ptenoglossa, and Wentletrap. [1913 Webster]

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]