Nearby Words

ratline

[rat-lin]

rat·line

[rat-lin]
noun Nautical.
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, lashings, etc.
Also, rat·lin.


Origin:
1475–85; earlier ratling, radelyng < ?
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Ratline is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle.
a fool or simpleton; ninny.
Collins
World English Dictionary
ratline or ratlin (ˈrætlɪn)
 
n
nautical any of a series of light lines tied across the shrouds of a sailing vessel for climbing aloft
 
[C15: of unknown origin]
 
ratlin or ratlin
 
n
 
[C15: of unknown origin]

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