Ramp"ant (rămp"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 plane,
such as the vault supporting a stairway, or forming the ceiling of a
stairway.