Ladder /(lăd"dẽr)/

Lad·der

Ladder

n.
  1. 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.
  2. That which resembles a ladder in form or use;
    Lowliness is young ambition's ladder.

Phrases & Compounds
Fish ladder
See under Fish.
Ladder beetle
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
a spiral marine shell of the genus Scalaria. See Scalaria.