[lad.der] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE hlaeder; akin to OHG leitara ladder, OE hlinian to lean--more at lean] (bef. 12c) 1: a structure for climbing up or down that consists essentially of two long sidepieces joined at intervals by crosspieces on which one may step
2: something that resembles or suggests a ladder in form or use; esp: run 11a
3: a series of usu. ascending steps or stages: scale "climbing up the corporate ~" -- lad.der.like adj