ladder

3 definitions found

ladder - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  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]

ladder - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  ladder
      n 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"
         [syn: run, ladder, ravel]
      v 1: come unraveled or undone as if by snagging; "Her nylons
           were running" [syn: ladder, run]

ladder - Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary :

  Ladder
  occurs only once, in the account of Jacob's vision (Gen. 28:12).