Ramp

v. i. [imp. & p. p. RAMPED (rămpt, 84); p. pr. & vb. n. RAMPING.] [Fr. ramper, to creep, O. Fr. to climb, It. rampare, to paw, rampicare, to creep, rampa, a paw.]

1Sense 1. To climb, as a plant; to creep up.

Plants furnished with tendrils catch hold, and so ramping on trees, they mount to a great height. Ray.

2Sense 2. To spring; to leap; to bound; to prance; to frolic; to romp.

3Sense 3. To spring or move with violence; to rage. [Obs.]

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

n. 1. A leap; a spring; a bound.

The bold Ascalonite Fled from his lion ramp. Milton.

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

3Sense 3. A ramping woman; a prostitute. [Low.] Nares.

4Sense 4. (Arch.) A concave bend or slope in the cap or upper member of any piece of ascending or descending workmanship. Brande.

5Sense 5. (Fort.) An inclined plane or path serving as a communication between different levels of works.