Ramollescence, ram-o-les′ens, n. softening, mollifying.—n. Ramollisse′ment, a morbid softening of some organ or tissue of the body.
Ramoon, ra-mōōn′, n. a West Indian mulberry. [Sp.,—L. ramus, a branch.]
Ramose, rā′mōs, adj. branching, much-branched: (bot.) branched as a stem or root.—adv. Rā′mosely.—adj. Rā′mous, branched, branchy.
Ramp, ramp, v.i. to climb or creep up, as a plant: to leap or bound: to adapt a piece of iron to the woodwork of a gate.—n. a leap or bound: a gradual slope or inclined plane between one level and another: a concave bend at the top or cap of a railing, wall, or coping: a romp.—adj. Rampā′cious=Rampageous (q.v.).—ns. Rampā′dgeon, a furious fellow; Ram′pāge, or Rampāge′, a state of passion or excitement.—v.i. to storm or prance violently.—adj. Rampā′geous, unruly: boisterous: glaring.—ns. Rampā′geousness; Rampall′ian (Shak.), a mean wretch; Ramp′er, a ruffian who infests race-courses; Ramps′man (slang), a highway robber. [Fr. ramper, to creep, to clamber; from the Teut.; cf. Low Ger. rappen, to snatch, Ger. raffen.]
Rampant, ramp′ant, adj. overgrowing usual bounds: rank in growth: overleaping restraint: (her.) standing on the hind-legs.—n. Ramp′ancy, state of being rampant.—adv. Ramp′antly.—Rampant arch, an arch whose abutments are not on the same level.
Rampart, ram′part, n. that which defends from assault or danger: (fort.) a mound or wall surrounding a fortified place.—v.t. to fortify with ramparts, to strengthen. [O. Fr. rempart (orig. rempar)—remparer, to defend—re, again, em, to (=en), in, parer, to defend—L. parāre, to prepare.]
Rampick, ram′pik, n. any dead tree—also Ram′pike.—adj. Ram′picked. [Prob. ran, as in roan-tree, rantle-tree, and pick or pike.]
Rampion, ram′pi-on, n. a perennial plant with esculent root. [Prob. through It. and Low L. forms from L. rapum, rapa, a turnip.]
Rampire, ram′pīr, n.=Rampart.—adj. Ram′pired.