Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Rampant?

\Ramp"ant\, a. [F., p. pr. of ramper to creep. See {Ramp}, v.] 1. Ramping; leaping; springing; rearing upon the hind legs; hence, raging; furious. The fierce lion in his kind Which goeth rampant after his prey. --Gower. [The] lion . . . rampant shakes his brinded mane. --Milton. 2. Ascending; climbing; rank in growth; exuberant. The rampant stalk is of unusual altitude. --I. Taylor. 3. (Her.) Rising with fore paws in the air as if attacking; -- said of a beast of prey, especially a lion. The right fore leg and right hind leg should be raised higher than the left. {Rampant arch}. (a) An arch which has one abutment higher than the other. (b) Same as {Rampant vault}, below. {Rampant gardant} (Her.), rampant, but with the face turned to the front. {Rampant regardant}, rampant, but looking backward. {Rampant vault} (Arch.), a continuous wagon vault, or cradle vault, whose two abutments are located on an inclined planed plane, such as the vault supporting a stairway, or forming the ceiling of a stairway.