[f. prec. sb.] trans. To climb up and get over or enter (a wall, rampart, etc.) by means of ladders; to scale.
1801. Wellington, in Gurw., Disp., I. 361. They might escalade the outer wall, taking care to carry over some ladders for the purpose of escalading the inner wall.
1839. Alison, Hist. Europe (1849), I. iv. 535. A … multitude had already begun … to escalade the parapets.
Hence Escalader, one who escalades. Escalading vbl. sb., in quot. attrib.
1849. Grote, Greece, II. xli. V. 157. The successful escaladers opened the gates to the entire Persian host.
1863. Thornbury, True as Steel, III. 105. The escaladers were then to advance.
1839–42. Alison, Hist. Europe (ed. 8), III. xviii. 557. A loud shout … announced the success of the escalading party.
