ladder
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
Contents |
[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
Old English hlǣder, from Proto-Germanic *hlaidrjā, from *hlai- (“‘lean’”), from Proto-Indo-European *klī-. Cognate with Dutch leer, German Leiter; compare Ancient Greek κλῖμαξ (“‘ladder’”).
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Noun
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Singular |
Plural |
ladder (plural ladders)
- 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.
- That which resembles a ladder in form or use; hence, that by means of which one attains to eminence, e.g. the corporate ladder.
- (chiefly British) length of unravelled fabric in a knitted garment, especially in nylon stockings
[edit] Usage notes
For stockings touted as resistant to ladders, the phrase “ladder resist” is used. The American equivalent is “run resistant”.
[edit] Synonyms
- (frame for ascent and descent): stepladder
- (unravelled fabric): run (primarily, US)
[edit] Derived terms
- aerial ladder
- companion ladder
- corporate ladder
- DNA ladder
- laddered
- laddering
- rope ladder
- scaling ladder
- stepladder
[edit] Translations
climbing tool
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something that resembles this tool
[edit] Verb
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Infinitive |
Third person singular |
Simple past |
Past participle |
Present participle |
to ladder (third-person singular simple present ladders, present participle laddering, simple past and past participle laddered)
- (firefighting) To ascend a building or wall using a ladder.
- 1998, John Norman, Fire Officer's Handbook of Tactics,[1] ISBN 0912212721, page 164,
- A good working knowledge of the ladder parts, how they work, their capacities, and proper usage are a must before anyone is sent out to ladder a building.
- 1998, John Norman, Fire Officer's Handbook of Tactics,[1] ISBN 0912212721, page 164,
- (of a knitted garment) To develop a ladder as a result of a broken thread
[edit] Anagrams
[edit] Dutch
[edit] Noun
ladder n.
