[climb] vb [ME, fr. OE climban; prob. akin to OE clifian to adhere--more at cleave] vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to go upward with gradual or continuous progress: rise, ascend b: to increase gradually c: to slope upward
2. a: to go upward or raise oneself esp. by grasping or clutching with the hands "~ed upon her father's knee" b of a plant: to ascend in growth (as by twining)
3: to go about or down usu. by grasping or holding with the hands "~ down the ladder"
4: to get into or out of clothing usu. with some haste or effort "the firemen ~ed into their clothes" ~ vt 1: to go upward on or along, to the top of, or over "~ a hill"
2: to draw or pull oneself up, over, or to the top of by using hands and feet "children ~ing the tree"
3: to grow up or over -- climb.able adj
[2]climb n (ca. 1587) 1: a place where climbing is necessary to progress
2: the act or an instance of climbing: rise, ascent