LADDER • DICCIONARIO INGLES.COM • Definition of Ladder

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/lˈædər/ Listen

noun

Ladder n.

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. "Some the engines play, And some, more bold, mount ladders to the fire."

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. "Lowliness is young ambition's ladder."

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.

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Etymology of 'Ladder'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Ladder" Quotes from Famous Books

... discussion, but they are invariably those on the midway rounds of the conversational ladder; people to whom the joy of the amicable intellectual tussle is unknown, and to whom the highest standards of the art of talking do not appeal. Where there is much intellectual activity discussion is sure to arise, for the simple reason that people will not think alike. Polite discussion is the ...

— Conversation - What to Say and How to Say it • Mary Greer Conklin

... ever distinguished himself by kicking down, as the phrase is, the ladder which raised him. No man maltreats his wild brother so much as the so-called 'civilised' negro: he never addresses his congener except by 'You jackass!' and tells him ten times a day that he considers such trash like the dirt beneath his feet. Consequently he is hated and despised withal, ...

— To The Gold Coast for Gold, Vol. II - A Personal Narrative • Richard Francis Burton and Verney Lovett Cameron

... of the room; while the balance is placed on either side of the doorway. These jars are later used to hold the cooked rice which is offered to the Inginlaod, spirits of the west. At the foot of the house ladder a spear is planted, and to it is attached a long narrow cloth of many colors. Last of all, a bound pig is laid just outside the door with its head toward ...

— The Tinguian - Social, Religious, and Economic Life of a Philippine Tribe • Fay-Cooper Cole

... that the Catholic Church preaches a morality that is utterly beyond the reach of human nature left to itself; that her standards are standards of perfection, and that she prefers even the lowest rung of the supernatural ladder to the highest ...

— Paradoxes of Catholicism • Robert Hugh Benson

... God and man, And now the top of th' altar did ascend To crown the heav'nly piece with a bright end; Whilst he, who in seven languages gave law, And always, like the Sun, his subjects saw, Did, in his robes imperial and gold, The basis of the doubtful ladder hold. O Charls! a nobler monument than that, Which thou thine own executor wert at! When to our huffling Henry there complain'd A grieved earl, that thought his honor stain'd: Away (frown'd he), for your own safeties, hast! ...

— Lucasta • Richard Lovelace

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