Ramp Named a Rearing Animal Before a Slope
A ramp is a sloping surface. The word comes from a verb meaning to climb or rear up.
A ramp is a sloping surface joining two levels. The word came from Old French *ramper*, to climb or rear up, and it was heraldry that kept the original sense: a lion *rampant* is one rearing on its hind legs, not one running wild. The slope sense came later, from the idea of a surface one climbs. *Rampage* and *ramp up* belong to the same family, both carrying the sense of rearing or rising. A separate *ramp* is a North American wild leek.
- A sloping surface. *A wheelchair ramp.*
- To increase. *Ramping up production.*
- Rampant — rearing. *A lion rampant.*
- A wild leek. *Ramps.*
- Old French — *ramper*, to climb. *The root.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | ramp | A ramp. |
| Verb | ramp | Ramping. |
| Adjective | rampant | Rampant. |
| Related | rampage | A rampage. |
| Old French | ramper | To climb. |
- They built an access ramp.Slope.
- A lion rampant.Heraldry.
- Ramping up output.Increase.
Heraldic animal postures
- Rampant — rearing on the hind legs
- Passant — walking, one forepaw raised
- Couchant — lying down, head up
- Sejant — sitting
- Statant — standing on all four feet
Old French *ramper*, to climb or rear up, of Germanic origin.
What does a lion rampant mean?
One rearing on its hind legs, keeping the word's original sense of climbing or rising rather than raging.
Is ramp up related?
Yes. Both come from the idea of rising, which is why increasing something is ramping it up.