Ratline (Noun)
Meaning
(nautical) a small horizontal rope between the shrouds of a sailing ship; they form a ladder for climbing aloft.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Examples
- The sailor grasped the ratline with one hand and began to climb up to repair the torn sail.
- To ascend to the crow's nest, the lookout would use the ratlines to climb up the mast.
- The bosun ordered the crew to climb the ratlines and adjust the rigging to catch the wind.
- As a novice sailor, she found it challenging to navigate the narrow ratlines, especially in rough seas.
- The ratlines creaked under the weight of the sailors as they climbed up to raise the Jolly Roger.