Ladder shell

Ladder Lad"der (l[a^]d"d[~e]r), n. [OE. laddre, AS. hl[=ae]der, hl[=ae]dder; akin to OFries. hladder, OHG. leitara, G. leiter, and from the root of E. lean, v. [root]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} (Zo["o]l.), 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} (Zo["o]l.), a spiral marine shell of the genus {Scalaria}. See {Scalaria}. [1913 Webster]