Main Entry:

¹ramp

Pronunciation:

\ˈramp\

Function:

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 verb1 a: to stand or advance menacingly with forelegs or with arms raised b: to move or act furiously2: to creep up —used especially of plants3: to speed up, expand, or increase especially quickly or at a constant rate —used with up<ramping up to full speed>transitive verb [⁴ramp (electrical waveform)] : to increase, expand, or decrease especially quickly or at a constant rate —usually used with up or down<ramp up production>