ratline

1. (uncountable) The rope or similar material used to make cross-ropes on a ship.
2. Any of the cross ropes between the shrouds, which form a net-like ropework, allowing sailors to climb up towards the top of the mast.
3. (historical, in-plural, often) A system of escape routes for Nazis and other fascists fleeing Europe in the aftermath of World War II.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈɹætlɪn/

Etymology

Apparently a corruption of raddling by folk-etymological reanalysis as rat + line.

Synonyms

ratlin

ratling

rattling

rat-line

Translations

enfléchure

grisella

wyblinka

drablina

drablinka

flechaste

çarmıh basamağı

βαθμιδόσχοινο πλοίου

ıskalarya