▪ I. rampion1
(ˈræmpɪən)
[Prob. ad. some form of the Romance name, which appears as F. raiponce († reponce, etc.), Sp. reponche, ruiponce, Pg. ruiponto, etc., It. rap-, ramponzolo; cf. G. rapunzel. The etym. of these forms is obscure: connexion with L. rāpum rape n.5 is doubtful.]
1. A species of bellflower, Campanula Rapunculus, of which the white tuberous roots are sometimes used as a salad.
| 1573 Tusser Husb. (1878) 94 Herbes and rootes for sallets and sauce..Radish..Rampions. Rokat. 1578 Lyte Dodoens v. xxxv. 597 The litle Rampion flowreth in June and July. 1622 Drayton Poly-olb. xx. 60 The Rampion rare..the hardly gotten Gourd. 1725 Bradley Fam. Dict. s.v. Saller, Others mingle Endives, Succory and Rampions without Distinction. 1785 Martyn Rousseau's Bot. xvi. (1794) 187 Rampion, which was formerly cultivated for its roots to eat in sallads. 1820 L. Hunt Indicator No. 28 (1822) I. 224 The rampions grew so thickly. 1883 St. James's Gaz. 20 Dec. 2/2 The rampion..with its roots shining as ivory and its flavour recalling the filbert. |
2. A plant of the genus Phyteuma.
| 1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. App. 324 Rampions, Horned, Phyteuma. 1790–1820 Sowerby Eng. Bot. VI. 6 Spiked Rampion, Phyteuma spicatum. Ibid., Round-headed Rampion, Phyteuma orbiculare. 1882 G. Allen Colour of Flowers iv. 73 The rampions (Phyteuma) vary from blue to white; so do many of the campanulas. |
† 3. The Lobelia. Obs.
| 1733 Miller Gard. Dict. s.v. Rapuntium, Greater Rampions with a Crimson-spiked Flower, commonly call'd the Scarlet Cardinal's Flower. 1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. App. 324 Rampions, Crested, Lobelia. |
▪ II. † rampion2 Obs. rare—1.
[Of obscure origin.]
A certain kind or colour of wine.
| 1519 Interl. Four Elem. (Percy Soc.) 22 Ye shall have spayneshe wyne and Gascoyn, Rose coloure, whyt, claret, rampyon. |