es|ca|la|tor

es|ca|la|tor «EHS kuh _LAY tuhr», noun, adjective.

–n.

1. a continuous moving stairway made on the endless chain principle, so that the steps ascend or descend continuously, for carrying passengers up or down: »

Many department stores have escalators to carry the customers from one floor to another.

2. a person or thing that escalates: »

... the mobility of the social escalator (New Yorker). ... to halt the escalators of war by policing cease-fires (Maclean's).

3. = escalator clause. (Cf. ↑escalator clause)

–adj.

of or having to do with an escalator clause or clauses: »

escalator provisions, an escalator adjustment of prices and wages.

╂[American English, earlier Escalator, trademark of the Otis Elevator Company < escal(ade) + (elev)ator]