I. ˈram-ˌräd noun
Date: 1757
1. : a rod for ramming home the charge in a muzzle-loading firearm
2. : a cleaning rod for small arms
3. : boss , overseer
II. adjective
Date: 1850
: marked by rigidity, severity, or stiffness
III. transitive verb
Date: circa 1940
: to direct, supervise, and control
IV. adverb
Date: 1954
: in a fully upright position : rigidly
sat ramrod straight