ladderlike

Two of Smith's untitled, long vertical paintings, one from 1956 in which suggestions of Jackson Pollock shine forth from a ladderlike assemblage of forms, and another from 1958 in which blunt, Guston-like dark lines give form to a spray enamel surface, are some of the most exuberant objects in either show.

Art reviews: 'Philip Guston, Roma' and 'David Smith Invents' at the Phillips Philip Kennicott 2011

The tree shows branching of each fossil from a lineage, but it has a ladderlike form that is easy for the reader to misunderstand as a Great Chain of Being.

Casey Luskin embarrasses himself again - The Panda's Thumb 2010

The result would be ladderlike and appear to be a triumphal march to the Rhesus Macacque, with apes merely a stage along the way.

Casey Luskin embarrasses himself again - The Panda's Thumb 2010

Before the treaty the American West consisted of the old Louisiana Purchase lands that rose in ladderlike fashion from the mouth of the Mississippi, climbed the courses of the Missouri, and touched the rocky, fog-shrouded shores of the Northwest.

EMPIRE OF THE SUMMER MOON S. C. Gwynne 2010

We pulled the stairs to the attic down from the ceiling and made our way up the creaky ladderlike steps.

Full Frontal Nudity Harry Hamlin 2010

This tight vertical shaft had ladderlike handholds, too, making progress quite easy.

Seven Deadly Wonders Matthew Reilly 2006

Elise balanced on one ladderlike step, pushed up on the trapdoor's splintered wood with one hand and peered through.

Watcher 3] Fire Watcher Saintcrow, Lilith 2006

This tight vertical shaft had ladderlike handholds, too, making progress quite easy.

Seven Deadly Wonders Matthew Reilly 2006

This tight vertical shaft had ladderlike handholds, too, making progress quite easy.

Seven Deadly Wonders Matthew Reilly 2006

Toby had to feel his way along the counter and grope for the back stair, a ladderlike shaft up to the "modern" addition.

Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine 2003