rampant

views updated May 29 2018

ramp·ant / ˈrampənt/ • adj. 1. (esp. of something unwelcome or unpleasant) flourishing or spreading unchecked: political violence was rampant rampant inflation. ∎  (of a person or activity) violent or unrestrained in action or performance: rampant sex. ∎  (of a plant) lush in growth; luxuriant: a rich soil soon becomes home to rampant weeds.2. Heraldry (of an animal) represented standing on one hind foot with its forefeet in the air (typically in profile, facing the dexter (left) side, with right hind foot and tail raised, unless otherwise specified): two gold lions rampant.3. Archit. (of an arch) springing from a level of support at one height and resting on the other support at a higher level.DERIVATIVES: ramp·an·cy / -pənsē/ n.ramp·ant·ly adv.

rampant

views updated May 21 2018

rampant in heraldry, (of an animal) represented standing on one hind foot with its forefeet in the air (typically in profile, facing the dexter (left) side, with right hind foot and tail raised, unless otherwise specified).

rampant

views updated Jun 11 2018

rampant. See arch.

More From encyclopedia.com