escalade

American  

[es-kuh-leyd, -lahd, es-kuh-leyd, -lahd] / ˌɛs kəˈleɪd, -ˈlɑd, ˈɛs kəˌleɪd, -ˌlɑd /

noun

1. a scaling or mounting by means of ladders, especially in an assault upon a fortified place.

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verb (used with object)

escaladed, escalading

1. to mount, pass, or enter by means of ladders.

escalade British  

/ ˌɛskəˈleɪd /

noun

1. an assault by the use of ladders, esp on a fortification

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verb

1. to gain access to (a place) by the use of ladders

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• escalader
  noun

Etymology

Origin of escalade

1590–1600; < Middle French < Old Provençal *escalada, equivalent to escal ( ar ) to scale ³ + -ada -ade ¹

Related Words

• ascend
• clamber
• go up
• mount
• rise
• scale
• soar
• top