ladder \lad"der\ la^d"d~er, n. oe. laddre, as.
   hl=aeder, hl=aedder; akin to ofries. hladder, ohg.
   leitara, g. leiter, and from the root of e. lean, v.
   root40. 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
see also:
lean climax fish ladder fish ladder beetle chrysomela scalaris 
ladder handle ladder shell scalaria