ramp

ramp¹

—rampingly, adv.

/ramp/, n.

1. a sloping surface connecting two levels; incline.

2. a short concave slope or bend, as one connecting the higher and lower parts of a staircase railing at a landing.

3. any extensive sloping walk or passageway.

4. the act of ramping.

5. Also called boarding ramp. a movable staircase for entering or leaving a cabin door of an airplane.

6. Also called parking ramp. apron (def. 6).

v.i.

7. (of animals) to stand or move with the forelegs or arms raised, as in animosity or excitement.

8. (of a lion or other large quadruped represented on a coat of arms) to rise or stand on the hind legs.

9. to rear as if to spring.

10. to leap or dash with fury (often fol. by about).

11. to act violently; rage; storm: ramping and raging in a great fury.

v.t.

12. to provide with a ramp or ramps: Entrances will be ramped to accommodate those in wheelchairs.

13. ramp along, Naut. to sail on a tack with all sails filled.

[1350-1400; (v.) ME rampen < OF ramper to creep, crawl, climb; (n.) < F rampe, deriv. of ramper]

ramp²

/ramp/, n. Usually, ramps.

a wild onion, Allium tricoccum, of the amaryllis family, of eastern North America, having flat leaves and rounded clusters of whitish flowers; eaten raw or used as a flavoring in cooked foods. Also called wild leek.

[1530-40; back formation from ramps ramson, var. (with intrusive p) of rams, earlier rammys, orig. the sing. of RAMSON]

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