- ratline
- noun Etymology: Middle English radelyng Date: 15th century any of the small transverse ropes attached to the shrouds of a ship so as to form the steps of a rope ladder — usually used in plural
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.
ratline
Look at other dictionaries:
Ratline — may mean:* Ratlines (history), Nazi escape routes to South America or the Middle East at the end of World War II * Ratline, a tradition at the Virginia Military Institute * Ratlines, part of the rigging of a large sailing vessel … Wikipedia
ratline — [rat′lin] n. [altered by folk etym. < LME ratling, radeling < ?] any of the small, relatively thin pieces of tarred rope which join the shrouds of a ship and serve as the steps of a ladder for climbing the rigging: also sp. ratlin … English World dictionary
ratline — /rat lin/, n. Naut. 1. any of the small ropes or lines that traverse the shrouds horizontally and serve as steps for going aloft. 2. Also, ratline stuff. three stranded, right laid, tarred hemp stuff of from 6 to 24 threads, used for ratlines,… … Universalium
ratline hitch — ratline hitch, = clove hitch. (Cf. ↑clove hitch) … Useful english dictionary
ratline stuff — noun see ratline 1 … Useful english dictionary
ratline — An organized effort for moving personnel and/or material by clandestine means across a denied area or border … Military dictionary
ratline — noun The cross ropes between the shrouds, which form a net like ropework, allowing sailors to climb up towards the top of the mast. Quotations … Wiktionary
ratline — small rope forming a rung of a rope ladder on a ship Nautical Terms … Phrontistery dictionary
ratline — rætlɪn n. horizontal piece of rope that connects the vertical ropes and forms a ladder (on ships) … English contemporary dictionary
ratline — 1) entrail 2) latrine … Anagrams dictionary
