Main Entry:

²ream

Function:

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 reaming2 a: to press out with a reamer b: to press out the juice of (as an orange) with a reamer3: cheat, victimize4: reprimand —often used with out<reams out his players so severely — Alexander Wolff>