Chapter 1260

Ram"ble (?) , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Rambled (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Rambling (?) .] [For rammle , fr. Prov. E. rame to roam. Cf. Roam .] 1. To walk, ride, or sail, from place to place, without any determinate object in view; to roam carelessly or irregularly; to rove; to wander; as, to ramble about the city; to ramble over the world.

He that is at liberty to ramble in perfect darkness, what is his liberty better than if driven up and down as a bubble by the wind? Locke.

2. To talk or write in a discursive, aimless way.

3. To extend or grow at random.

Thomson.

Syn. -- To rove; roam; wander; range; stroll.

Ramble <Xpage=1186>

Ram"ble , n. 1. A going or moving from place to place without any determinate business or object; an excursion or stroll merely for recreation.

Coming home, after a short Christians ramble . Swift.

2. [Cf. Rammel .] (Coal Mining) A bed of shale over the seam.

Raymond.

<-- 3. A section of woods suitable for liesurely walking. muskrat ramble -- a dance -->

Rambler <Xpage=1186>

Ram"bler (?) , n. One who rambles; a rover; a wanderer.

Rambling <Xpage=1186>

Ram"bling (?) , a. Roving; wandering; discursive; as, a rambling fellow, talk, or building .

Ramblingly <Xpage=1186>

Ram"bling*ly , adv. In a rambling manner.

Rambooze <Xpage=1186>

Ram"booze (?) , n. A beverage made of wine, ale (or milk), sugar, etc. [Obs.]

Blount.

Rambutan <Xpage=1186>

Ram*bu"tan (?) , n. [Malay ramb&umac;tan , fr. rambut hair of the head.] (Bot.) A Malayan fruit produced by the tree Nephelium lappaceum , and closely related to the litchi nut. It is bright red, oval in shape, covered with coarse hairs (whence the name), and contains a pleasant acid pulp. Called also ramboostan .

Rameal <Xpage=1186>

Ra"me*al (?) , a. Same as Ramal .

Gray.

Ramean <Xpage=1186>

Ra"me*an (?) , n. A Ramist.

Shipley.

Ramed <Xpage=1186>

Ramed (?) , a. Having the frames, stem, and sternpost adjusted; -- said of a ship on the stocks.

Ramee <Xpage=1186>

Ram"ee (?) , n. (Bot.) See Ramie .

Ramekin <Xpage=1186>

Ram"e*kin (?) , n. See Ramequin . [Obs.]

Rament <Xpage=1186>

Ram"ent (?) , n. [L. ramenta , pl.] 1. A scraping; a shaving. [Obs.]

Ramenta <Xpage=1186>

Ra*men"ta (?) , n. pl. [L., scrapings.] (Bot.) Thin brownish chaffy scales upon the leaves or young shoots of some plants, especially upon the petioles and leaves of ferns.

Gray.

<page="1187"> Page 1187

Ramentaceous <Xpage=1187>

Ram`en*ta"ceous (?) , a (Bot.) Covered with ramenta.

Rameous <Xpage=1187>

Ra"me*ous (?) , a [L. rameus , from ramus branch, bough.] (Bot.) Ramal.

Ramequin <Xpage=1187>

Ram"e*quin (?) , n. [F.] (Cookery) A mixture of cheese, eggs, etc., formed in a mold, or served on bread. [Written also ramekin .]

Ramie <Xpage=1187>

Ram"ie (?) , n. [From Malay.] (Bot.) The grasscloth plant ( B&oe;hmeria nivea ); also, its fiber, which is very fine and exceedingly strong; -- called also China grass , and rhea . See Grass-cloth plant , under Grass .

Ramification <Xpage=1187>

Ram`i*fi*ca"tion (?) , n. [Cf. F. ramification . See Ramify .] 1. The process of branching, or the development or offshoots from a stem; also, the mode of their arrangement.

2. A small branch or offshoot proceeding from a main stock or channel; as, the ramifications of an artery, vein, or nerve .

3. A division into principal and subordinate classes, heads, or departments; also, one of the subordinate parts; as, the ramifications a subject or scheme .

4. The production of branchlike figures.

Crabb.

Ramiflorous <Xpage=1187>

Ram`i*flo"rous (?) , a. [L. ramus branch + flos , floris , flower.] (Bot.) Flowering on the branches.

Ramiform <Xpage=1187>

Ram"i*form , a. [L. ramus branch + -form .] (Bot.) Having the form of a branch.

Ramify <Xpage=1187>

Ram"i*fy (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Ramified (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Ramifying (?) .] [F. ramifier , LL. ramificare , fr. L. ramus a branch + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See -fy .] To divide into branches or subdivisions; as, to ramify an art, subject, scheme .

Ramify <Xpage=1187>

Ram"i*fy , v. i. 1. To shoot, or divide, into branches or subdivisions, as the stem of a plant.

When they [asparagus plants] . . . begin to ramify . Arbuthnot.

2. To be divided or subdivided, as a main subject.

Ramigerous <Xpage=1187>

Ra*mig"er*ous (?) , a. [L. ramus a branch + -gerous .] (Bot.) Bearing branches; branched.

Ramiparous <Xpage=1187>

Ra*mip"a*rous (?) , a. [L. ramus + parere to bear.] (Bot.) Producing branches; ramigerous.

Ramist <Xpage=1187>

Ra"mist (?) , n. A follower of Pierre Ram\'82 , better known as Ramus , a celebrated French scholar, who was professor of rhetoric and philosophy at Paris in the reign of Henry II., and opposed the Aristotelians.

Ramline <Xpage=1187>

Ram"line (?) , n. A line used to get a straight middle line, as on a spar, or from stem to stern in building a vessel.

Rammel <Xpage=1187>

Ram"mel (?) , n. Refuse matter. [Obs.]

Filled with any rubbish, rammel and broken stones. Holland.

Rammer <Xpage=1187>

Ram"mer (?) , n. One who, or that which, rams or drives. Specifically: (a) An instrument for driving anything force; as, a rammer for driving stones or piles, or for beating the earth to more solidity . (b) A rod for forcing down the charge of a gun; a ramrod . (c) (Founding) An implement for pounding the sand of a mold to render it compact.

Rammish <Xpage=1187>

Ram"mish (?) , a. Like a ram; hence, rank; lascivious. "Their savor is so rammish ."

Chaucer.

Rammishness <Xpage=1187>

Ram"mish*ness , n. The quality of being rammish.

Rammy <Xpage=1187>

Ram"my (?) , a. Like a ram; rammish.

Burton.

Ramollescence <Xpage=1187>

Ram`ol*les"cence (?) , n. [F. ramollir to make soft, to soften; pref. re- re- + amollir to soften; a (L. ad ) + mollir to soften, L. mollire , fr. mollis soft.] A softening or mollifying. [R.]

Ramoon <Xpage=1187>

Ra*moon" (?) , n. (Bot.) A small West Indian tree ( Trophis Americana ) of the Mulberry family, whose leaves and twigs are used as fodder for cattle.

Ramose <Xpage=1187>

Ra*mose" (?) , a. [L. ramosus , from ramus a branch.] Branched, as the stem or root of a plant; having lateral divisions; consisting of, or having, branches; full of branches; ramifying; branching; branchy.

Ramous <Xpage=1187>

Ra"mous (?) , a. Ramose.

Ramp <Xpage=1187>

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.

Ramp <Xpage=1187>

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.

Rampacious <Xpage=1187>

Ram*pa"cious (?) , a. High-spirited; rampageous. [Slang]

Dickens.

Rampage <Xpage=1187>

Ramp"age (?) , 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.

Rampage <Xpage=1187>

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

Rampageous <Xpage=1187>

Ram*pa"geous (?) , a. Characterized by violence and passion; unruly; rampant. [Prov. or Low]

In the primitive ages of a rampageous antiquity. Galt.

Rampallian <Xpage=1187>

Ram*pal"lian (?) , n. [Cf. ramp a prostitute, or rabble .] A mean wretch. [Obs.]

Shak.

Rampancy <Xpage=1187>

Ramp"an*cy (?) , 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.

Rampant <Xpage=1187>

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

The fierce lion in his kind Which goeth rampant after his prey. Gower.

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

2. Ascending; climbing; rank in growth; exuberant.

The rampant stalk is of unusual altitude. I. Taylor.

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.

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 planed plane, such as the vault supporting a stairway, or forming the ceiling of a stairway.

Rampantly <Xpage=1187>

Ramp"ant*ly , adv. In a rampant manner.

Rampart <Xpage=1187>

Ram"part (?) , n. [F. rempart , OF. rempar , fr. remparer to fortify, se remparer to fence or intrench one's self; re- re- pref. + pref. en- (L. in ) + parer to defend, parry, prepare, L. parare to prepape. See Pare .]

1. That which fortifies and defends from assault; that which secures safety; a defense or bulwark.

2. (Fort.) A broad embankment of earth round a place, upon which the parapet is raised. It forms the substratum of every permanent fortification.

Mahan.

Syn. -- Bulwark; fence; security; guard. -- Rampart , Bulwark . These words were formerly interchanged; but in modern usage a distinction has sprung up between them. The rampart of a fortified place is the enceinte or main embankment or wall which surrounds it. The term bulwark is now applied to peculiarly strong outworks which project for the defense of the rampart , or main work. A single bastion is a bulwark . In using these words figuratively, rampart is properly applied to that which protects by walling out; bulwark to that which stands in the forefront of danger, to meet and repel it. Hence, we speak of a distinguished individual as the bulwark , not the rampart , of the state. This distinction, however, is often disregarded.

Rampart <Xpage=1187>

Ram"part , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Ramparted ; p. pr. & vb. n. Ramparting .] To surround or protect with, or as with, a rampart or ramparts.

Those grassy hills, those glittering dells, Proudly ramparted with rocks. Coleridge.

Rampart gun (Fort.) , a cannon or large gun for use on a rampart and not as a fieldpiece.

Rampe <Xpage=1187>

Rampe (?) , n. [In allusion to its supposed aphrodisiac qualities. See Ramp .] (Bot.) The cuckoopint.

Rampier <Xpage=1187>

Ram"pier (?) , n. See Rampart . [Obs.]

Rampion <Xpage=1187>

Ram"pi*on (?) , n. [Cf. F. raiponce , Sp. ruiponce , reponche , L. raperonzo , NL. rapuntium , fr. L. rapum , rapa , a turnip, rape. Cf. Rape a plant.] (Bot.) A plant ( Campanula Rapunculus ) of the Bellflower family, with a tuberous esculent root; -- also called ramps .

&hand; The name is sometimes given to plants of the genus Phyteuma , herds of the Bellflower family, and to the American evening primrose ( Enothera biennis ), which has run wild in some parts of Europe.

Rampire <Xpage=1187>

Ram"pire (?) , n. A rampart. [Archaic]

The Trojans round the place a rampire cast. Dryden.

Rampire <Xpage=1187>

Ram"pire , v. t. To fortify with a rampire; to form into a rampire. [Archaic] Chapman . " Rampired walls of gold."

R. Browning.

Rampler <Xpage=1187>

Ram"pler (?) , n. A rambler.

Rampler <Xpage=1187>

Ram"pler , a. Roving; rambling. [Scot.]

Ramrod <Xpage=1187>

Ram"rod` (?) , n. The rod used in ramming home the charge in a muzzle-loading firearm.

Ramshackle <Xpage=1187>

Ram"shac*kle (?) , a. [Etymol. uncertain.] Loose; disjointed; falling to pieces; out of repair.

There came . . . my lord the cardinal, in his ramshackle coach. Thackeray.

Ramshackle <Xpage=1187>

Ram"shac*kle , v. t. To search or ransack; to rummage. [Prov. Eng.]

Ramson <Xpage=1187>

Ram"son (?) , n. [AS. hramsan , pl., akin to G. rams , Sw. rams , rams l\'94k; cf. Gr. <?/ onion.] (Bot.) A broad-leaved species of garlic ( Allium ursinum ), common in European gardens; -- called also buckram .

Ramsted <Xpage=1187>

Ram"sted (?) , n. (Bot.) A yellow-flowered weed; -- so named from a Mr. Ramsted who introduced it into Pennsylvania. See Toad flax . Called also Ramsted weed .

Ramulose <Xpage=1187>

Ram"u*lose` (?) , a. [L. ramulosus , fr. ramulus , dim. of ramus a branch.] (Nat. Hist.) Having many small branches, or ramuli.

Ramulous <Xpage=1187>

Ram"u*lous (?) , a. (Nat. Hist.) Ramulose.

Ramulus <Xpage=1187>

Ram"u*lus (?) , n. ; pl. Ramuli (<?/) . (Zo\'94l.) A small branch, or branchlet, of corals, hydroids, and similar organisms.

Ramus <Xpage=1187>

Ra"mus (?) , n. ; pl. Rami (<?/) . (Nat. Hist.) A branch; a projecting part or prominent process; a ramification.

Ramuscule <Xpage=1187>

Ra*mus"cule (?) , n. [L. ramusculus .] (Nat. Hist.) A small ramus, or branch.

Ran <Xpage=1187>

Ran (?) , imp. of Run .

Ran <Xpage=1187>

Ran , n. [As. r\'ben .] Open robbery. [Obs.]

Lambarde.

Ran <Xpage=1187>

Ran , n. (Naut.) Yarns coiled on a spun-yarn winch.

Rana <Xpage=1187>

Ra"na (?) , n. [L., a frog.] (Zo\'94l.) A genus of anurous batrachians, including the common frogs.

Ranal <Xpage=1187>

Ra"nal (?) , a. (Bot.) Having a general affinity to ranunculaceous plants.

Ranal alliance (Bot.) , a name proposed by Lindley for a group of natural orders, including Ranunculace\'91, Magnoliace\'91, Papaverace\'91, and others related to them.

Rance <Xpage=1187>

Rance (?) , n. [Etymol. uncertain.] 1. A prop or shore. [Scot.]

2. A round between the legs of a chair. <-- = spreader -->

Rancescent <Xpage=1187>

Ran*ces"cent (?) , a. [L. rancescens , p. pr. of rancescere , v. incho. from rancere to be rancid.] Becoming rancid or sour.

Ranch <Xpage=1187>

Ranch (?) , v. t. [Written also raunch .] [Cf. Wrench .] To wrench; to tear; to sprain; to injure by violent straining or contortion. [R.] Dryden . "Hasting to raunch the arrow out."

Spenser.

Ranch <Xpage=1187>

Ranch , n. [See Rancho .] A tract of land used for grazing and rearing of horses, cattle, or sheep. See Rancho , 2. [Western U. S.]

Ranchero <Xpage=1187>

Ran*che"ro (?) , n. ; pl. Rancheros (#) . [Sp.] [Mexico & Western U. S.] 1. A herdsman; a peasant employed on a ranch or rancho.

2. The owner and occupant of a ranch or rancho.

Ranchman <Xpage=1187>

Ranch"man (?) , n. ; pl. Ranchmen (#) An owner or occupant of, or laborer on, a ranch; a herdsman . [Western U. S.]

Rancho <Xpage=1187>

Ran"cho (?) , n. ; pl. Ranchos (#) . [Sp., properly, a mess, mess room. Cf. 2d Ranch .] 1. A rude hut, as of posts, covered with branches or thatch, where herdsmen or farm laborers may live or lodge at night.

2. A large grazing farm where horses and cattle are raised; -- distinguished from hacienda , a cultivated farm or plantation. [Mexico & California]

Bartlett.

Rancid <Xpage=1187>

Ran"cid (?) , a. [L. rancidus , fr. rancere to be rancid or rank.] Having a rank smell or taste, from chemical change or decomposition; musty; as, rancid oil or butter .

Rancidity <Xpage=1187>

Ran*cid"i*ty (?) , n. [Cf. F. rancidit\'82 .] The quality or state of being rancid; a rancid scent or flavor, as of old oil.

Ure.

Rancidly <Xpage=1187>

Ran"cid*ly (?) , adv. In a rancid manner.

Rancidness <Xpage=1187>