ratline

Definition of Ratline in English :

1. ratlin, ratline

(nautical) a small horizontal rope between the shrouds of a sailing ship; they form a ladder for climbing aloft

WordNet Lexical Database for English. Princeton University. 2010.

Ratline

noun

nautical

any of a series of light lines tied across the shrouds of a sailing vessel for climbing aloft

noun

any of the small, relatively thin pieces of tarred rope which join the shrouds of a ship and serve as the steps of a ladder for climbing the rigging

: also sp. ˈratlin

n.

1. Any of the small ropes fastened horizontally to the shrouds of a ship and forming a ladder for going aloft.

2. The material used for these ropes.