ladder, n. [OE. laddre, AS. hl, hl; akin to OFries. hladder, OHG. leitara, G. leiter, and from the root of E. lean, v. Lean, v. i., and cf. Climax.].

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." [1913 Webster]

That which resembles a ladder in form or use; [1913 Webster]
"Lowliness is young ambition's ladder." [1913 Webster]

Fish ladder. See under Fish. -- Ladder beetle (Zoöl.), 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 (Zoöl.), a spiral marine shell of the genus Scalaria. See Scalaria.

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OXFORD DICTIONARY

ladder, n. & v.
--n.
1 a set of horizontal bars of wood or metal fixed between two uprights and used for climbing up or down.
2 Brit. a vertical strip of unravelled fabric in a stocking etc. resembling a ladder.
3 a a hierarchical structure. b such a structure as a means of advancement, promotion, etc.
--v. Brit.
1 intr. (of a stocking etc.) develop a ladder.
2 tr. cause a ladder in (a stocking etc.).

Idiom

ladder-back an upright chair with a back resembling a ladder. ladder-stitch transverse bars in embroidery. ladder tournament a sporting contest with each participant listed and entitled to a higher place by defeating the one above.

Etymology

OE hl{aelig}d(d)er, ult. f. Gmc: cf. LEAN(1)

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ROGET THESAURUS

ladder

Method
N method, way, manner, wise, gait, form, mode, fashion, tone, guise, modus operandi, MO, procedure, path, road, route, course, line of way, line of road, trajectory, orbit, track, beat, tack, steps, stair, staircase, flight of stairs, ladder, stile, perron, bridge, footbridge, viaduct, pontoon, steppingstone, plank, gangway, drawbridge, pass, ford, ferry, tunnel, pipe, door, gateway, channel, passage, avenue, means of access, approach, adit, artery, lane, loan, alley, aisle, lobby, corridor, back-door, back-stairs, secret passage, covert way, vennel, roadway, pathway, stairway, express, thoroughfare, highway, turnpike, freeway, royal road, coach road, broad highway, King's highway, Queen's highway, beaten track, beaten path, horse road, bridle road, bridle track, bridle path, walk, trottoir, footpath, pavement, flags, sidewalk, crossroad, byroad, bypath, byway, cut, short cut carrefour, private road, occupation road, highways and byways, railroad, railway, tram road, tramway, towpath, causeway, canal, street, speedway, adv, how, in what way, in what manner, by what mode, so, in this way, after this fashion, one way or another, anyhow, somehow or other, by way of, via, in transitu, on the high road to, hae tibi erunt artes.

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