ladder

ladder
ladder (n.) O.E. hlæder "ladder, steps," from P.Gmc. *khlaidri (Cf. O.Fris. hledere, M.Du. ledere, O.H.G. leitara, Ger. Leiter), from PIE root *klei- "to lean" (Cf. Gk. klimax "ladder;" see LEAN (Cf. lean) (v.)). In late O.E., rungs were læddrestæfæ and the side pieces were ledder steles. The belief that walking under one brings bad luck is attested from 1787, but its origin likely is more pragmatic than symbolic. Ladder-back (adj.) as a type of chair is from 1898.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • ladder — lad‧der [ˈlædə ǁ ər] noun [singular] a series of levels within an organization or profession, which people move up and down: • He is moving swiftly up the corporate ladder. * * * ladder UK US /ˈlædər/ noun [C, usually singular] ► a way of… …   Financial and business terms

  • 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,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • ladder — [lad′ər] n. [ME < OE hlæder, akin to Ger leiter < IE base * k̑lei , to incline, LEAN1] 1. a) a framework consisting of two parallel sidepieces connected by a series of rungs or crosspieces on which a person steps in climbing up or down b)… …   English World dictionary

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  • Ladder — A ladder is a vertical or inclined set of rungs or steps. There are two types: rigid ladders that can be leaned against a vertical surface such as a wall, and rope ladders that are hung from the top. The vertical members of a rigid ladder are… …   Wikipedia

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  • ladder — (Roget s IV) n. Syn. stairway, step stool, steps, scale; see stairs . Ladders include: stepladder, rope ladder, ship s ladder, stern ladder, accommodation ladder, fireman s scaling ladder, extension ladder, companionway, collapsing ladder,… …   English dictionary for students

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