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rung

1. A floor timber in a ship.

2. One of the rounds of a ladder.

3. One of the stakes of a cart; a spar; a heavy staff.

4. (Science: machinery) One of the radial handles projecting from the rim of a steering wheel; also, one of the pins or trundles of a lantern wheel.

Origin: OE. Ronge, AS. Hrung, a staff, rod, pole; akin to G. Runge a short, thick piece of iron or wood, OD. Ronghe a prop, support, Icel. Rong a rib in a ship, Goth. Hrugga a staff.