ratline

Fetched 2026-10-26 (cache).

Synonyms: ratlin, ratlike, ralline, ramline, ratlins, catline, ratine, ratling

Antonyms: ratlin, ratlike, ralline, ramline, ratlins, catline, ratine, ratling

Related words from Datamuse; suggestions, not definitions.

Noun

1. {{lb|en|nautical|uncountable}} The [[rope]] or similar material used to make cross-ropes on a ship. {{defdate|from 14th c.}}
2. {{lb|en|nautical}} Any of the cross ropes between the [[shroud]]s, which form a net-like [[ropework]], allowing [[sailor]]s to climb up towards the top of the [[mast]]. {{defdate|from 17th c.}}
3. {{lb|en|historical|often|in plural}} A system of escape routes for [[Nazi]]s and other [[fascist]]s fleeing [[Europe]] in the aftermath of [[World War II]].

Source: Wiktionary · CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wiktionary dump) · cached copy, not a rewrite.