climb

I. verb Etymology: Middle English, from Old English climban; probably akin to Old English clifian to adhere — more at cleave Date: before 12th century intransitive verb 1. a. to go upward with gradual or continuous progress ; rise, ascend <

watching the smoke climb

> b. to increase gradually <

prices are continuing to climb

> c. to slope upward <

a climbing path

> 2. a. to go upward or raise oneself especially by grasping or clutching with the hands <

climbed aboard the train

> b. of a plant to ascend in growth (as by twining) 3. to go about or down usually by grasping or holding with the hands <

climb down the ladder

> 4. to get into or out of clothing usually with some haste or effort <

the firefighters climbed into their clothes

> transitive verb 1. to go upward on or along, to the top of, or over <

climb a hill

> 2. to draw or pull oneself up, over, or to the top of by using hands and feet <

children climbing the tree

> 3. to grow up or over <

ivy climbing the wall

> • climbable adjective II. noun Date: circa 1587 1. a place where climbing is necessary to progress 2. the act or an instance of climbing ; rise, ascent