Word of the Day: Rung

rung


rung / rŭng



noun


1. one of the rods on a ladder that forms a step


The rung of a ladder was never meant to rest upon, but only to hold a man's foot long enough to enable him to put the other somewhat higher.


Thomas Huxley, 1825 – 1895



2. a crosspiece between the legs of a chair, often used to strengthen the chair


By this unprovoked and unjustifiable act, our venerable friend had suffered a fracture of one of its rungs.


From “Grandfather’s Chair” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, 1804 – 1864



3. spokes on a wheel or ship’s wheel


I also nestled small flowerpots between the wheel's rungs and planted them with a herb garden, of basil, chives, mint, rosemary, thyme and parsley.


Barb Christensen, “Handy ideas for little things”, ‘Northland Press’, August 14, 1969



4. a level; a step in rank or position


Do not despise the bottom rungs in the ascent to greatness.


Publilius Syrus, 85 BC - 43



verb


1. past participle of the verb “ring”


When a nation's young men are conservative, its funeral bell is already rung.


Henry Ward Beecher. 1813 – 1887

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