Definition

1. Noun:
   • (Nautical) A small horizontal rope between the shrouds of a sailing ship; they form a ladder for climbing aloft: A "ratlin" is one of the short ropes or lines tied horizontally between the vertical shrouds of a ship's mast, creating a rope ladder used by sailors to climb up and down the rigging.

Usage

• Noun:
  • The term is used primarily in a nautical context to describe a specific part of a sailing ship's rigging.
  • It is often used in the plural form "ratlins" or "ratlines" to refer to the entire ladder-like structure.
  • Example: The sailor quickly ascended the ratlins to adjust the sail.
  • Example: The old ship's ratlines were frayed and needed replacement.

Advanced Usage

• "To swarm up the ratlins": To climb the rigging quickly and skillfully.
  • The lookout swarmed up the ratlins to get a better view of the horizon.

Variants and Related Words

• Ratline (n): An alternative and more common spelling for "ratlin". Both forms refer to the same object.
  • He checked each ratline for strength before climbing.
• Ratlins (n): The plural form of "ratlin".
  • The new recruit was nervous about climbing the ratlins.

Synonyms

• Rope ladder: A general term for a ladder made of rope, which describes the function of ratlins collectively.
• Shroud ladder: A descriptive synonym emphasizing the ratlins' attachment to the shrouds.

Notes on Meaning

• The word "ratlin" has a single, specific meaning related to traditional sailing ships. It is not used in modern, non-nautical contexts.
• The spelling "ratline" is considered standard in many modern references, though "ratlin" is also correct and historically used.

Noun

1. (nautical) a small horizontal rope between the shrouds of a sailing ship; they form a ladder for climbing aloft