Definition of ratlines in English:
ratlines
plural nounˈratlɪnzˈrætlənz
A series of small rope lines fastened across a sailing ship's shrouds like the rungs of a ladder, used for climbing the rigging.
I scrambled back down the ratlines- Pamela watched the men climbing the ratlines, standing on the yards, or in the footropes.
- Aloft, there were the conventional ratlines on both sides of each mast to gain access to the rigging.
- In the fresh wind the vibration of the shrouds as fifty men ran up the ratlines could be distinctly heard.
- The divers kitted up in harnesses and ascended the wet ratlines.
- The product of a seafaring family, Seal is at home among the rigging, the ratlines, the shrouds and spars of his leading lady.
Origin
Late Middle English: of unknown origin.
Definition of ratlines in US English:
ratlines
plural nounˈrætlənzˈratlənz
A series of small ropes fastened across a sailing ship's shrouds like the rungs of a ladder, used for climbing the rigging.
I scrambled back down the ratlines- The product of a seafaring family, Seal is at home among the rigging, the ratlines, the shrouds and spars of his leading lady.
- Pamela watched the men climbing the ratlines, standing on the yards, or in the footropes.
- The divers kitted up in harnesses and ascended the wet ratlines.
- In the fresh wind the vibration of the shrouds as fifty men ran up the ratlines could be distinctly heard.
- Aloft, there were the conventional ratlines on both sides of each mast to gain access to the rigging.
Origin
Late Middle English: of unknown origin.