escalator

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: es=ca=la=tor

CIDE DICTIONARY

escalator, n. [NL. Cf. Escalade.].

 A stairway or incline arranged like an endless belt so that the steps or treads ascend or descend continuously, and one stepping upon it is carried up or down; -- originally a trade term, which has become the generic name for such devices. Such devices are in common use in large retail establishments such as department stores, and in public buildings having a heavy traffic of persons between adjacent floors.  [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

escalator, n. a moving staircase consisting of a circulating belt forming steps.

Etymology

f. the stem of escalade 'climb a wall by ladder' + -ATOR

ROGET THESAURUS

escalator

Elevation

N elevation, raising, erection, lift, sublevation, upheaval, sublimation, exaltation, prominence, lever, crane, derrick, windlass, capstan, winch, dredge, dredger, dredging machine, dumbwaiter, elevator, escalator, lift, elevated, stilted, attollent, rampant, on stilts, on the shoulders of, on one's legs, on one's hind legs.