ream

²ream

verb

Definition of REAM

transitive verb

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 <reams out his players so severely — Alexander Wolff>

Examples of REAM

1. He got reamed in the press for his comments.
2. <reamed a whole new generation of suckers with a variation of the Ponzi scheme>

Origin of REAM

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

First Known Use: 1815

Related to REAM

Synonyms: beat, bilk, bleed, cheat, chisel, chouse, con, cozen, defraud, diddle, do, do in, euchre, fiddle, flimflam, gaff, gyp, hose [slang], hustle, mulct, nobble [British slang], pluck, fleece, rip off, rook, screw, shake down, short, shortchange, skin, skunk, squeeze, stick, stiff, sting, sucker, swindle, thimblerig, victimize

Related Words: extort, wrench, wrest, wring; clip, gouge, nick, overcharge, soak; exploit, milk; deceive, dupe, fool, gull, trick; rope (in); betray, bitch, double-cross; bamboozle, fast-talk

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Other Handicraft Terms

biscuit, darn, tambour, wrought