'Jacob's ladder' definitions:
Definition of 'Jacob's ladder'
From: WordNet
noun
Pinnate-leaved European perennial having bright blue or white flowers [syn: Jacob's ladder, Greek valerian, charity, Polemonium caeruleum, Polemonium van- bruntiae, Polymonium caeruleum van-bruntiae]
noun
(nautical) a hanging ladder of ropes or chains supporting wooden or metal rungs or steps [syn: Jacob's ladder, jack ladder, pilot ladder]
Definition of 'Jacob's ladder'
From: GCIDE
- Jacob \Ja"cob\, n. [Cf. F. Jacob. See 2d Jack.] A Hebrew patriarch (son of Isaac, and ancestor of the Jews), who in a vision saw a ladder reaching up to heaven (--Gen. xxviii. 12); -- also called Israel. [1913 Webster]
- And Jacob said . . . with my staff I passed over this Jordan, and now I am become two bands. --Gen. xxxii.
- 9, 10. [1913 Webster]
- Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel. --Gen. xxxii. 28. [1913 Webster]
- Jacob's ladder. (a) (Bot.) A perennial herb of the genus Polemonium ({Polemonium c[oe]ruleum), having corymbs of drooping flowers, usually blue. Gray}. (b) (Naut.) A rope ladder, with wooden steps, for going aloft. --R. H. Dana, Jr. (c) (Naut.) A succession of short cracks in a defective spar.
- Jacob's membrane. See Retina.
- Jacob's staff. (a) A name given to many forms of staff or weapon, especially in the Middle Ages; a pilgrim's staff. [Obs.] --Spenser. (b) (Surveying) See under Staff. [1913 Webster]