The Collaborative International Dictionary
Rampant \Ramp"ant\ (r[a^]mp"ant), a. [F., p. pr. of ramper to creep. See Ramp, v.]
-
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. -
Ascending; climbing; rank in growth; exuberant.
The rampant stalk is of unusual altitude.
--I. Taylor. -
(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.
An arch which has one abutment higher than the other.
-
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 plane, such as the vault supporting a stairway, or forming the ceiling of a stairway.