ratline
Pronunciation: /ˈɹætlɪn/
The English word “ratline” has 3 meanings listed here.
noun
- The rope or similar material used to make cross-ropes on a ship.
- 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.
- A system of escape routes for Nazis and other fascists fleeing Europe in the aftermath of World War II.
Etymology
Apparently a corruption of raddling by folk-etymological reanalysis as rat + line.
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Definitions are from Wiktionary, extracted by Kaikki.org, and are available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.