Ladder
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: /ˈladə/
- US IPA: /ˈlædɚ/
- Rhymes: -ædə(r)
Origin
From 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.
Full definition of ladder
Noun
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 rungs: cross strips or rounds acting as steps.
- (figuratively) The hierarchy or ranking system within an organization, e.g. the corporate ladder.
- 2011, January 8, Paul Fletcher, Stevenage 3 - 1 Newcastle, 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.
- (chiefly British) A length of unravelled fabric in a knitted garment, especially in nylon stockings; a run.
- 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
For stockings touted as resistant to ladders, the phrase “ladder resist†is used in the UK. The American equivalent is “run resistantâ€.
Synonyms
- (frame for ascent and descent) stepladder
- (unravelled fabric) run primarily US
Derived terms
Verb
- (firefighting) To ascend a building or wall using a ladder.
- 1998, John Norman, Fire Officer's Handbook of Tactics, 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.
- (of a knitted garment) To develop a ladder as a result of a broken thread.