RAMP

n. & v. --n. 1 a slope or inclined plane, esp. for joining two levels of ground, floor, etc. 2 movable stairs for entering or leaving an aircraft. 3 an upward bend in a stair-rail. 4 Brit. a transverse ridge in a road to control the speed of vehicles. --v. 1 tr. furnish or build with a ramp. 2 intr. a assume or be in a threatening posture. b (often foll. by about) storm, rage, rush. c Heraldry be rampant. 3 intr. Archit. (of a wall) ascend or descend to a different level. [ME (as verb in heraldic sense) f. F rampe f. OF ramper creep, crawl]