REAM


Meaning of REAM in English

I. ˈrēm noun

Etymology: Middle English reme, from Anglo-French, ultimately from Arabic rizma, literally, bundle

Date: 14th century

1. : a quantity of paper being 20 quires or variously 480, 500, or 516 sheets

2. : a great amount — usually used in plural

ream s of information

II. transitive verb

Etymology: perhaps from Middle English * remen to open up, from Old English rēman; akin to Old English rȳman to open up, rūm space — more at room

Date: 1815

1.

a. : to widen the opening of (a hole) : countersink

b.

(1) : to enlarge, shape, or smooth out (a hole) with a reamer

(2) : to enlarge the bore of (as a gun) in this way

c. : to remove by reaming

2.

a. : to press out with a reamer

b. : to press out the juice of (as an orange) with a reamer

3. : cheat , victimize

4. : reprimand — often used with out

ream s out his players so severely — Alexander Wolff

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.