ratline

or rat·lin

[ rat-lin ]

noun

, Nautical.

1. any of the small ropes or lines that traverse the shrouds horizontally and serve as steps for going aloft.
2. Also ratline stuff. three-stranded, right-laid, tarred hemp stuff of from 6 to 24 threads, used for ratlines, lashings, etc.

ratline

/ ˈrætlɪn /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of ratline¹

First recorded in 1475–85; earlier ratling, radelyng < ?

Word History and Origins

Origin of ratline¹

C15: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

In walking along her gun-deck, he accidentally ran against a ratline, by which one of her starboard guns was discharged.

From Project Gutenberg

A piece of small ratline was fixed to the slings, with the handlead made fast to it so that it would sink.

From Project Gutenberg

A musket-ball carried away a ratline above his head, just as he reached forward.

From Project Gutenberg

A sailor came slipping down the ratline one night, as though something had happened, and the sailors cried, "What's the matter?"

From Project Gutenberg

You will soon have furled your last sail, and run up the last ratline, and weathered the last gale, and made the last voyage.

From Project Gutenberg