\Lad"der\, n. [OE. laddre, AS. hl?der, hl?dder; akin to
OFries. hladder, OHG. leitara, G. leiter, and from the root
of E. lean, v. (?). 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.
         Some the engines play, And some, more bold, mount
         ladders to the fire.                  --Dryden.
2. That which resembles a ladder in form or use; hence, that
   by means of which one attains to eminence.
         Lowliness is young ambition's ladder. --Shak.
{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}.