ladder
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
English [edit]
Etymology [edit]
Old English hlǣder, from Proto-Germanic *hlaidriz (compare West Frisian ljedder, Dutch leer, German Leiter), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱleytro (compare Old Irish clithar 'hedge', Umbrian ... (kletram) 'stretcher'), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱley- (“to lean”). More at lean, related to lid.
Pronunciation [edit]
Noun [edit]
ladder (plural ladders)
- A frame, usually portable, of wood, metal, or rope, used for ascent and descent, consisting of two side pieces to which are fastened cross strips or rounds forming steps.
- (figuratively) The hierarchy or ranking system within an organization, e.g. the corporate ladder.
- 2011 January 8, Paul Fletcher, “Stevenage 3 - 1 Newcastle”, BBC:
- Newcastle had won both their previous fixtures in 2011 but were terribly disappointing at Broadhall Way against opponents 73 places below them in the footballing ladder.
- 2011 January 8, Paul Fletcher, “Stevenage 3 - 1 Newcastle”, BBC:
- (chiefly UK) Length of unravelled fabric in a knitted garment, especially in nylon stockings.
- In the game of go, a sequence of moves following a zigzag pattern and ultimately leading to the capture of the attacked stones.
Usage notes [edit]
- For stockings touted as resistant to ladders, the phrase “ladder resist” is used. The American equivalent is “run resistant”.
Synonyms [edit]
- (frame for ascent and descent): stepladder
- (unravelled fabric): run (primarily, US)
Derived terms [edit]
Terms derived from ladder
Translations [edit]
climbing tool
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something that resembles this tool
length of unravelled fabric in a knitted garment, especially in nylon stockings
Verb [edit]
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.
Anagrams [edit]
Dutch [edit]
Pronunciation [edit]
- IPA: /ˈlɑ.dər/
Hyphenation: lad‧der
Noun [edit]
ladder f, m (plural ladders, diminutive laddertje)
