escalator
[ es-kuh-ley-ter ]
/ ˈɛs kəˌleɪ tər /
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noun
a continuously moving stairway on an endless loop for carrying passengers up or down.
a means of rising or descending, increasing or decreasing, etc., especially by stages: the social escalator.
adjective
of, relating to, or included in an escalator clause: The union demands escalator protection of wages.
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Origin of escalator
An Americanism first recorded in 1895–1900; formerly a trademark; perhaps escal(ade) + (elev)ator
Words nearby escalator
escadrille, Escadrille Américaine, escalade, escalate, escalation, escalator, escalator clause, escallonia, escallop, escalope, Escambia
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for escalator
British Dictionary definitions for escalator
escalator
/ (ˈɛskəˌleɪtə) /
noun
a moving staircase consisting of stair treads fixed to a conveyor belt, for transporting passengers between levels, esp between the floors of a building
short for escalator clause
Word Origin for escalator
C20: originally a trademark
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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