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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Ramp, v. Also: rampe. [ME (Cursor M., Manning) and e.m.E. ramp(e, raump, OF ramper, to climb, to go on (one's) belly, etc.]

1. intr. Of animals, esp. the lion and the horse: To rear; to stand on the hindlegs with the forelegs raised, as if threatening; hence, to assume such a posture. c1460 Alex. (Taym.) (ed.) 668.
Quhan ony vther schupe on him to ryde He rampit sa, thair durst na man him byde Ib. 1372.
Sum [horses] war woundit … That gart thame stop and ramp and draw thame by Ib. 3787. a1500 Henr. Fab. 999.
Rampand he [the Lion] said [etc.] Ib. 2629.
The volff this saw and rampand come him till With girnand teith and angrie austre luke c1475 Wall. xi 248. a1500 K. Hart 690. 15.. Clar. i 968.
He [alion] raxit him, and, ramping in his ire Ib. iv 1070.
As small beists befor the wolfe rampine 1572 Sat. P. xxxiii 141.
To se this lyoun scope, One day to rore and ramp vpon his fois

b. Of the lion depicted in this posture in heraldry. See also Rampand. — c1450-2 Howlat 414 (A).
Syne in asure the mold, A lyoun … Of siluir ȝe se shold To ramp in array

2. Of persons: To act in a fierce or furious manner, like a wild beast; to rage, to storm about, to rampage.Chiefly in direct comparisons with wild beasts.(1) 1456 Hay I 169/18.
He [was] bathe stark, hardy, and rampand as a lyoun Ib. II 33/9.
A knycht suld … in his inymyes presence be as lyoun rampand c1460 Thewis Wysmen 196.
Thai crab thaim nocht, na is nocht crous To ramp as lyone in thar hous a1500 Henr. Orph. 121.
This noble king inflammit all in ire And rampand as ane lyoun c1475 Wall. vii 458.
The peple beryt lyk wyld bestis … Within the wallis, rampand on athir sid c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 236.
Meik in chalmer … Bot, in the feild … Rampand lyke ane wyld lyoun a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 884 (Wr.).
Will, as angry as an ape, Ran ramping a1599 Rollock Wks. II 618.
They ramp and roar like lions(2) c1500 Rowll Cursing 187 (M).
Rampand with ane hiddowis beir a1582 Sir Colling 237.
The ladie rampis and raif hir hair a1605 Montg. Devot. P. ii 1.
Quhy doth the heathin rage and rampe 1650 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 617.
The Scottis airmyes …, quha rampit and raged throw the land

b. transf. Of things. c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus Prol. 53.
As the lyon, the fyre is furious, Wod, and cruell, rampand, and rigorous a1605 Montg. Misc. P. xxviii 41.
Watring wauis and huge, Quhilk ramping ouer his rigging ryds — a1605 Montg. Misc. P. xiv 41.
No ryme nor resone it [Love] respects Bot ramping in a rage