Ramp (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Ramped (?; 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 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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.