Stairs or ladder? Verification word for "ladder"

Unlike the Ukrainian language (in which most words sound and are written), in Russian often there are so-called mute letters. Being unpronounceable, they still create confusion, because on the letter their pass is a mistake. Let's look at writing one of these words. So, a ladder or a ladder: how to write correctly?

What is the lexical meaning of this noun

A ladder is a special device designed for vertical connections. In other words, with the help of ladders you can climb (descend) to a higher (low) place on the steps or on the crossbeams.

Such adaptations can be portable (like folding garden ladders or specialized ladders on fire trucks, ships and helicopters). They are also part of the building (like stairs in the entrance between floors).

As for the materials from which these devices are made, they can be different. The main requirement is strength and stability. Home ladders are made of wood or metal. Helicopter ladders and ship ladders are made of ropes or cables with metal or wooden crossbeams.

If this device is part of the structure, it is usually made of cement and bricks, sometimes wood or metal.

Etymology of the word

Before you deal with the spelling (a ladder or a ladder), it is worth paying attention to the origin of the noun being studied. Paradoxically, it is not exactly known. There are two theories.

1. According to the first, the word "ladder" came from the verb "climb", which in the Old Slavonic language looked like this: "lie". By the way, if we adhere to this version, it becomes clear where this problem "t" came from and why the spelling (a staircase or a staircase) causes so many questions.
2. Supporters of the second theory believe that the "progenitor" of the noun is the Old Slavonic word "lieutenant." However, what relation it has to the meaning of the term "ladder", is still not known. In favor of this version is the fact that in the related Belarusian language for the Russian language the name looks very similar - "forest". It should be noted that most other Slavic languages use different words for the designation of this concept: Ukrainian - "go", Polish - schody, Slovenian - stopnišče, Czech - schodiště, Bulgarian "stalbishche", etc.

In addition to disputes about etymology, scientists can not agree on the question of dividing this noun into components. So Ariadna Ivanovna Kuznetsova and Tatyana Fedorovna Efremova believe that the root is the "forest", and "t" and "prostrate" are the suffixes. But Andrei Anatolievich Zaliznyak holds the opinion that the letter "t" is included in the root "flocks", and the suffix for the term is only one - "prostrate".

The most famous staircases

Before considering the question: "How correctly to write: a ladder or a ladder?" - it is worth to learn a little about the history of this adaptation, as well as about the most famous specimens in the world.

Similar designs appeared in the world more than 7000 years ago. Almost every ancient civilization has a mention of the use of stairs. They were from ancient Egyptians, Assyrians, Greeks, Romans and even the Maya tribe. No castle of medieval Europe could normally exist without them. And they carried not only practical value, but also were decoration of the home. And today the tradition of decorating built-in stairs remains very relevant.

As for the folding types of this device, thanks to the invention of modern materials, they have become lighter and more durable than in the past centuries.

As for the most famous specimens in the history of mankind, first of all it is worth mentioning the legendary ladder of Jacob described in the Book of Genesis. By the way, in the Quran it is also mentioned.

As for the existing today, the Wooden Immovable Ladder in Jerusalem has a special symbolism. It is a symbol of the arrangement of 6 Christian denominations about the joint ownership of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the Old City in Jerusalem.

Another world-famous specimen is the Spanish Steps, located in Rome. It was built in the middle of the XVIII century. And still remains one of the most beautiful architectural monuments of Europe. On its steps are often arranged photo sessions of famous glossy magazines, and also make films and clips.

And, of course, you can not fail to mention the Potemkin Stairs in Odessa, the leading residents of the city and tourists to the sea. Built in the beginning of the 19th century, it has remained practically unchanged to this day. By the way, it began to be called "Potemkin" only almost 100 years after its construction. In 1925 she shot a film by Sergei Eisenstein - "Battleship Potemkin", in honor of this event the structure and received its name.

Correctly as it is written: "a ladder" or "ladder"

Having considered the lexical meaning, history and etymology of the noun "ladder", it's time to deal with the grammar of this word. So, a ladder or a ladder - that's the question!

The answer to it is simple: the given noun is written through the letter "t", and absolutely always, without exceptions. In the same way as the "sun" is written with the "mute" letter "l".

Is it possible to choose a test word for the word "ladder"

As a rule, you can choose a test word for most terms, whose writing causes doubts. With its help it is possible to determine exactly whether there is any "dumb" letter in this case.

So, is it possible to choose a test word for the word "ladder"? No you can not. The point is that the term in question refers to nouns whose writing needs to be simply memorized, since it can not be verified. Such names are called "vocabulary words".

A scaffold and a ladder: why their writing is different

Having dealt with how to correctly write: a staircase or a ladder, you can pay attention to the consideration of a term close to it meaning "ladder". Unlike all other single-root names, there is no "mute" letter "t" in it.

Why did it happen? It is not known. Probably, the "disappearance" of "t" in the word "ladder" was influenced by some linguistic processes, which modern scientists do not have information. Perhaps this writing was the result of an ingrained error. In any case, the "ladder" and "ladder" are nouns, the writing of which you just need to learn by heart.

Having considered the question: "How to write correctly: a ladder or a ladder?", We can conclude that not every problem name with "mute" consonant letters has a test word.