n. & v.
n. 1 an uncastrated male sheep, a tup. 2 (the Ram) the zodiacal sign or constellation Aries. 3 hist. a = battering ram (see BATTER(1)). b a beak projecting from the bow of a battleship, for piercing the sides of other ships. c a battleship with such a beak. 4 the falling weight of a pile-driving machine. 5 a a hydraulic water-raising or lifting machine. b the piston of a hydrostatic press. c the plunger of a force-pump.
v.tr. (rammed, ramming) 1 force or squeeze into place by pressure. 2 (usu. foll. by down, in, into) beat down or drive in by heavy blows. 3 (of a ship, vehicle, etc.) strike violently, crash against. 4 (foll. by against, at, on, into) dash or violently impel. ram home stress forcefully (an argument, lesson, etc.). rammer n.
[ OE ram(m), perh. rel. to ON rammr strong ]