Part 31

Ra"mous (r"ms), a. Ramose.

Ramp (rmp), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Ramped (rmt; 215); p. pr. & vb. n. Ramping.] [F. ramper to creep, OF., to climb; of German origin; cf. G. raffen to snatch, LG. & D. rapen. See Rap to snatch, and cf. Romp.]

1. To spring; to leap; to bound; to rear; to prance; to become rampant; hence, to frolic; to romp.

2. To move by leaps, or as by leaps; hence, to move swiftly or with violence.

Their bridles they would champ, And trampling the fine element would fiercely ramp.

Spenser.

3. To climb, as a plant; to creep up.

With claspers and tendrils, they [plants] catch hold, . . . and so ramping upon trees, they mount up to a great height.

Ray.

Ramp, n. 1. A leap; a spring; a hostile advance.

The bold Ascalonite Fled from his lion ramp.

Milton.

2. A highwayman; a robber. [Prov. Eng.]

3. A romping woman; a prostitute. [Obs.] Lyly.

4. [F. rampe.] (Arch.) (a) Any sloping member, other than a purely constructional one, such as a continuous parapet to a staircase. (b) A short bend, slope, or curve, where a hand rail or cap changes its direction.

5. [F. rampe.] (Fort.) An inclined plane serving as a communication between different interior levels.

Ram*pa"cious (rm*p"shs), a. High-spirited; rampageous. [Slang] Dickens.

Ramp"age (rmp"j; 48), n. [See Ramp, v.] Violent or riotous behavior; a state of excitement, passion, or debauchery; as, to be on the rampage. [Prov. or Low] Dickens.

Ramp"age, v. i. To leap or prance about, as an animal; to be violent; to rage. [Prov. or Low]

Ram*pa"geous (rm*p"js), a. Characterized by violence and passion; unruly; rampant. [Prov. or Low]

In the primitive ages of a rampageous antiquity.

Galt.

Ram*pal"lian (-pl"yan), n. [Cf. ramp a prostitute, or rabble.] A mean wretch. [Obs.] Shak.

Ramp"an*cy (rmp"an*s), n. The quality or state of being rampant; excessive action or development; exuberance; extravagance. "They are come to this height and rampancy of vice." South.

Ramp"ant (rmp"ant), a. [F., p. pr. of ramper to creep. See Ramp, v.] 1. Ramping; leaping; springing; rearing upon the hind legs; hence, raging; furious.

The fierce lion in his kind Which goeth rampant after his prey.

Gower.

lion . . . rampant shakes his brinded mane.