ramp

I. 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 <

ramping 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