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ratline
or rat·lin
[ rat-lin ]
/ ˈræt lɪn /
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noun Nautical.
any of the small ropes or lines that traverse the shrouds horizontally and serve as steps for going aloft.
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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Origin of ratline
First recorded in 1475–85; earlier ratling, radelyng< ?
Words nearby ratline
ratio test, Ratisbon, Rat Islands, ratite, rat-kangaroo, ratline, RATO, rat on, ratoon, rat pack, rat race
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use ratline in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for ratline
ratline
ratlin
/ (ˈrætlɪn) /
noun
nautical any of a series of light lines tied across the shrouds of a sailing vessel for climbing aloft
Word Origin for ratline
C15: of unknown origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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