I. ˈramp verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French ramper to crawl, climb, rear, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German rimpfan to bend, wrinkle — more at rumple
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to stand or advance menacingly with forelegs or with arms raised
b. : to move or act furiously
2. : to creep up — used especially of plants
3. : to speed up, expand, or increase especially quickly or at a constant rate — used with up
ramp ing up to full speed
transitive verb
[ ramp (IV) (electrical waveform)]
: to increase, expand, or decrease especially quickly or at a constant rate — usually used with up or down
ramp up production
II. noun
Date: 1671
: the act or an instance of ramping
III. noun
Etymology: back-formation from ramps, alteration of rams, from Middle English, from Old English hramsa; akin to Old High German ramusia ramp, Greek krommyon onion
Date: 1826
: any of various alliums used for food
IV. noun
Etymology: French rampe, from ramper, from Middle French
Date: 1779
1. : a sloping way or plane: as
a. : a sloping floor, walk, or roadway leading from one level to another
b. : a slope for launching boats
2. : apron 2h