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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Ladder \Lad"der\ (l[a^]d"d[~e]r), n. [OE. laddre, AS.
hl[=ae]der, hl[=ae]dder; akin to OFries. hladder, OHG.
leitara, G. leiter, and from the root of E. lean, v.
[root]40. See {Lean}, v. i., and cf. {Climax}.]
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.
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Some the engines play,
And some, more bold, mount ladders to the fire.
--Dryden.
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2. 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.
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Lowliness is young ambition's ladder. --Shak.
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{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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