v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Ramped 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. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To spring; to leap; to bound; to rear; to prance; to become rampant; hence, to frolic; to romp. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To move by leaps, or as by leaps; hence, to move swiftly or with violence. [ 1913 Webster ]

Their bridles they would champ,
And trampling the fine element would fiercely ramp. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To climb, as a plant; to creep up. [ 1913 Webster ]

With claspers and tendrils, they [ plants ] catch hold, . . . and so ramping upon trees, they mount up to a great height. Ray. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A leap; a spring; a hostile advance. [ 1913 Webster ]

The bold Ascalonite
Fled from his lion ramp. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A highwayman; a robber. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A romping woman; a prostitute. [ Obs. ] Lyly. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. [ F. rampe. ] (Fort.) An inclined plane serving as a communication between different interior levels. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. High-spirited; rampageous. [ Slang ] Dickens. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To leap or prance about, as an animal; to be violent; to rage. [ Prov. or Low ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Ramp, v. ] Violent or riotous behavior; a state of excitement, passion, or debauchery; as, to be on the rampage. [ Prov. or Low ] Dickens. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Characterized by violence and passion; unruly; rampant. [ Prov. or Low ] [ 1913 Webster ]

In the primitive ages of a rampageous antiquity. Galt. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. ramp a prostitute, or rabble. ] A mean wretch. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being rampant; excessive action or development; exuberance; extravagance. “They are come to this height and rampancy of vice.” South. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ F., p. pr. of ramper to creep. See Ramp, v. ] 1. Ramping; leaping; springing; rearing upon the hind legs; hence, raging; furious. [ 1913 Webster ]

The fierce lion in his kind
Which goeth rampant after his prey. Gower. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ The ] lion . . . rampant shakes his brinded mane. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Ascending; climbing; rank in growth; exuberant. [ 1913 Webster ]

The rampant stalk is of unusual altitude. I. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Her.) Rising with fore paws in the air as if attacking; -- said of a beast of prey, especially a lion. The right fore leg and right hind leg should be raised higher than the left. [ 1913 Webster ]

Rampant arch. (a) An arch which has one abutment higher than the other. (b) Same as Rampant vault, below. --
Rampant gardant (Her.), rampant, but with the face turned to the front. --
Rampant regardant, rampant, but looking backward. --
Rampant vault (Arch.), a continuous wagon vault, or cradle vault, whose two abutments are located on an inclined plane, such as the vault supporting a stairway, or forming the ceiling of a stairway. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a rampant manner. [ 1913 Webster ]