ratline
/ˈɹætlɪn/ noun
Forms ratlines ratlin rattlin rattline
- noun (nautical, uncountable) The rope or similar material used to make cross-ropes on a ship.
- noun (nautical) 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.
- noun (historical, often in the plural) A system of escape routes for Nazis and other fascists fleeing Europe in the aftermath of World War II.
Synonyms
Etymology
Apparently a corruption of raddling by folk-etymological reanalysis as rat + line.
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 — from the Wiktionary entry “ratline”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details