laddering Definition

ladder
noun

1. A piece of equipment which is used for climbing up or down, usually made of wood, metal or rope, and consisting of a set of parallel horizontal rungs or steps set at right angles between two long vertical supports. See also fish-ladder.
(chiefly Brit)
2. A long narrow flaw, especially in a stocking, tights or other knitted garment, where a row of stitches has broken. Also called run.
3. A hierarchical or graded route of advancement or progress.

Example: determined to climb the social ladder
4. Anything that is like a ladder in arrangement, eg a list of names of players in a competition on which names are moved up or down depending on whether the players win or lose.

verb laddered, laddering

1a. Said of stockings, etc: to cause a ladder to appear;
1b. Said of stockings, etc: to develop a ladder.

Derivative: laddered
adj

Said of stockings, etc: having a ladder or ladders.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon hlæder.