▪ I. ramping, vbl. n.1
(ˈræmpɪŋ)
[-ing1.]
The action of ramp v.1 in its various senses.
| 1580 Hollyband Treas. Fr. Tong, Grimpure, a ramping or grasping. 1656 Jeanes Mixt. Schol. Div. 20 His very ramping and roaring might terrify him, that is farre enough out of his reach. 1657 G. Thornley Daphnis & Chloe 53 That wanton, untoward, malepert ramping and hoytie-toitie which he kept in the grove. 1741 Richardson Pamela (1824) I. cii. 490 An over-free, and even indecent degree of ramping, as it is called. 1870 Dickens E. Drood vi, Swaggering fighting men had had their centuries of ramping and raving about Minor Canon Corner. |
▪ II. ˈramping, vbl. n.2
(See quot. and ramp v.2)
| 1830 Lytton Paul Clifford I. viii. 150 Before this initiatory process, technically termed ‘ramping’..had reduced the bones of Paul..to the state of magnesia, [etc.]. 1891 Times 16 Oct. 8/4 The trick..was technically known in sporting circles as ‘ramping’, which had been extensively practised during the past season on bookmakers. |
▪ III. ramping, ppl. a. (and adv.)
(ˈræmpɪŋ)
[-ing2.]
That ramps, in senses of ramp v.1
The obs. northern and Sc. form rampand may also be taken as a variant of rampant.
† 1. Creeping, crawling. Obs. rare—1.
| c 1440 Bone Flor. 845 Syr Garcy went crowlande for fayne, As rampande eyen [?] do in the rayne. |
2. Of beasts: Standing erect, rearing, showing fierceness.
| 1382 Wyclif Gen. xlix. 27 Beniamyn, a wulf raumpynge. 1509 Hawes Past. Pleas. xxxiii. (Percy Soc.) 162 A rampynge lyon of fyne golde so pure. 1596 Shakes. 1 Hen. IV, iii. i. 153 A couching Lyon, and a ramping Cat. 1743 Wesley Wks. (1872) XIII. 191 The mob..were as so many ramping and roaring lions. 1862 G. Meredith Mod. Love l, Thundering like ramping hosts of warrior horse. |
| fig. 1850 Blackie æschylus II. 238 Lest our pride of ramping riches kick our sober weal in the dust. |
3. Of persons, their actions, etc.: Violent, extravagant, unrestrained; † romping.
| 1483 Caxton G. de la Tour B vj, Wymmen that ben chydars and rampynge. 1582 Stanyhurst æneis iii. (Arb.) 88 With ramping bounce clapping..Fierce the waters ruffle. 1595 Shakes. John iii. i. 122 What a foole art thou, A ramping foole, to brag, and stamp, and sweare, Vpon my partie! 1675 E. Phillips Theat. Poet. Pref. ** 8 A style not ramping, but passionately sedate and moving. 1697 Vanbrugh 2nd Pt. æsop ii. 237 I've a great ramping daughter, that stares like a heifer. 1745 J. Mason Self-Knowl. i. xiv. (1853) 106 The maddest Sallies and the most ramping Reveries of the Fancy. 1876 Blackie Songs Religion & Life 241 Race not with a ramping might. 1891 H. Lynch G. Meredith 86 The wild ramping life of the colonies. |
4. † a. Climbing, clasping. Obs. rare—1.
| 1578 Lyte Dodoens iv. xx. 475 Foure or fiue griping or ramping claspers, whereby the Pease doth take holde. |
b. Growing luxuriantly. Now dial.
| 1607 Barley-Breake (1877) 28 A Pipe made of a ramping Oate. 1733–4 Mrs. Delany Lett., to Mrs. A. Granville 428 White ground with great ramping flowers in shades of purples, reds, and greens. 1821 Clare Vill. Minstr. I. 203 Picking from the ramping grass Nameless blossoms as I pass. 1829 ― Ode to Autumn, With ramping sallows lined, and crowding sedge. |
5. As adv. Exuberantly. rare—1.
| 1886 J. M. Caulfeild Seamanship Notes 2 These sails are to be ramping full. |