3. An engine of war used for butting or battering. Specifically: (a) In ancient warfare, a long beam suspended by slings in a framework, and used for battering the walls of cities; a battering- ram. (b) A heavy steel or iron beak attached to the prow of a steam war vessel for piercing or cutting down the vessel of an enemy; also, a vessel carrying such a beak.
4. A hydraulic ram. See under Hydraulic.
5. The weight which strikes the blow, in a pile driver, steam hammer, stamp mill, or the like.
6. The plunger of a hydraulic press. Ram's horn. (a) (Fort.) A low semicircular work situated in and commanding a ditch. [Written also ramshorn.] Farrow. (b) (Paleon.) An ammonite.
RAM
Ram, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rammed; p. pr. & vb. n. Ramming.]
1. To butt or strike against; to drive a ram against or through; to thrust or drive with violence; to force in; to drive together; to cram; as, to ram an enemy's vessel; to ram piles, cartridges, etc. [They] rammed me in with foul shirts, and smocks, socks, foul stockings, greasy napkins. Shak.
2. To fill or compact by pounding or driving. A ditch . . . was filled with some sound materials, and rammed to make the foundation solid. Arbuthnot.
RAMADAN Ram`a*dan", n. Etym: [Ar. ramadan, or ramazan, properly, the hot month.] [Written also Ramadhan, Ramadzan, and Rhamadan.]
1. The ninth Mohammedan month.
2. The great annual fast of the Mohammedans, kept during daylight through the ninth month.