ratline

American  

[rat-lin] / ˈræt lɪn /

Or ratlin

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.

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ratline British  

/ ˈrætlɪn /

noun

1. nautical any of a series of light lines tied across the shrouds of a sailing vessel for climbing aloft

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Etymology

Origin of ratline

First recorded in 1475–85; earlier ratling, radelyng < ?

Example Sentences

Another former SS officer involved in the massacre, Erich Priebke, had escaped via the Ratline to Argentina, where he was arrested, extradited to Italy and also convicted.

From New York Times • Feb. 2, 2021

Ratline, Ratlin, rat′lin, n. one of the small lines or ropes traversing the shrouds and forming the steps of the rigging of ships—also Rat′ling, Ratt′ling.—n.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various