v. & n.
v. 1 tr. & intr. (often foll. by up) ascend, mount, go or come up, esp. by using one's hands. 2 intr. (of a plant) grow up a wall, tree, trellis, etc. by clinging with tendrils or by twining. 3 intr. make progress from one's own efforts, esp. in social rank, intellectual or moral strength, etc. 4 intr. (of an aircraft, the sun, etc.) go upwards. 5 intr. slope upwards.
n. 1 an ascent by climbing. 2 a a place, esp. a hill, climbed or to be climbed. b a recognized route up a mountain etc. climb down 1 descend with the help of one's hands. 2 withdraw from a stance taken up in argument, negotiation, etc. climb-down n. such a withdrawal. climbing-frame a structure of joined bars etc. for children to climb on. climbing-iron a set of spikes attachable to a boot for climbing trees or ice slopes. climbable adj.
[ OE climban f. WG, rel. to CLEAVE(2) ]