n. [ OE. laddre, AS. hl&aemacr_;der, hl&aemacr_;dder; akin to OFries. hladder, OHG. leitara, G. leiter, and from the root of E. lean, v. √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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Some the engines play,
And some, more bold, mount ladders to the fire. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

Lowliness is young ambition's ladder. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a chair with a ladder-back{ 2 }.
Syn. -- ladder-back chair. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. a chair backrest consisting of 2 uprights with several connecting slats. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. Having horizontal stripes on the back, reminiscent of a ladder; -- used of birds; as, a ladder-backed woodpecker. [ PJC ]

adj. resistant to runs or (in Britain) ladders; -- of hosiery.
Syn. -- runproof, run-resistant. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

n. Same as hook-and-ladder company, hook-and-ladder truck. [ PJC ]