ramp Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun an inclined surface connecting two levels
incline.
noun North American perennial having a slender bulb and whitish flowers
Allium tricoccum; wild leek.
noun a movable staircase that passengers use to board or leave an aircraft
verb behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
storm; rage.
verb furnish with a ramp
- The ramped auditorium
verb be rampant
- the lion is rampant in this heraldic depiction
verb creep up -- used especially of plants
- The roses ramped over the wall
verb stand with arms or forelegs raised, as if menacing

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.

imperfect & past participle Ramped present participle & verbal noun Ramping

To spring; to leap; to bound; to rear; to prance; to become rampant; hence, to frolic; to romp.
To move by leaps, or by leaps; hence, to move swiftly or with violence.
Their bridles they would champ, And trampling the fine element would fiercely ramp. Spenser.
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.

A leap; a spring; a hostile advance.
The bold Ascalonite Fled from his lion ramp. Milton.
A highwayman; a robber. Prov. Eng.
A romping woman; a prostitute. Obs. Lyly.
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.
F. rampe. (Fort.) An inclined plane serving as a communication between different interior levels.