ramp Hear it!

ramp1 definition

ramp (ramp)

noun

  1. a sloping, sometimes curved, surface, walk, road, etc. joining different levels
  2. ☆ a means for boarding or leaving a plane, as a staircase on wheels rolled up to the door
  3. a concave bend or curve where a handrail or coping changes its direction, as at a staircase landing
  4. a sloping runway for launching boats, as from trailers

Etymology: Fr rampe < OFr ramper: see ramp

ramp Idioms

ramp up

Informal to increase or augment to ramp up factory production
ramp2 definition

ramp (ramp)

intransitive verb

    1. to stand upright on the hind legs
    2. Heraldry to be depicted rampant
  2. to assume a threatening posture
  3. to move or rush threateningly, violently, or with fury; rampage

Etymology: ME rampen < OFr ramper, to climb, clamber < Frank *rampon, to cramp together < Gmc *rampa, claw, akin to MDu ramp, cramp < IE *(s)kremb-, var. of base *(s)kerb(h)-, to twist, curve > shrimp, harp

noun

the act of ramping
ramp3 definition

ramp (ramp)

noun

a wild leek (Allium tricoccum) having a pair of broad basal leaves in spring, followed by a naked flower stalk: its strongly flavored bulbs are edible

Etymology: taken as sing. of ramps, var. of dial. rams, wild garlic < ME < OE hramsa, wild garlic < IE base *krem- > Gr kremyon, MIr crem, Lith kermùšė

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