RAMPANT


Meaning of RAMPANT in English

ˈrampənt, ˈraam- also -mˌpant or -mˌpaa(ə)nt adjective

Etymology: Middle English rampaunt, from Middle French rampant, present participle of ramper to climb, crawl, rear — more at ramp

1.

a. : rearing upon the hind legs with forelegs or forepaws extended

b. of a heraldic beast : reared up, standing on one hind foot with one foreleg raised above the other, and seen in profile

2. : characterized by fierceness or high spirits

below was the bull, rampant , slobbering froth — Francis Birtles

the long crow of a rampant cock — William Sansom

3. : marked by the absence of check or restraint : unbridled

the crime wave rampant here in recent months — T.W.Arnold

rumor ran rampant … the other day — Harvey Breit

4. : threatening or extravagant in action, bearing, or manner : displaying aggression or violence

her wrath, feral and rampant , utterly possessed her — W.H.Wright

5. : having one impost or abutment higher than the other

a rampant arch

6.

a. : extremely profuse in growth : rank

rampant beds of yellow flowers on the lawn — Janet Flanner

b. : used extravagantly : very much in evidence

pleats … are rampant in skirts for daytime — Lois Long

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.