Middle English Dictionary Entry
rammen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | rammen v. Also ram(me & (error) ramnyn. |
| Etymology | From ram n.; cp. OHG rammen. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
To make the ground firm by tamping, beat down the earth; also, crumble the earth; ram, strike; (b) to make (the ground) firm, compress, beat down; ~ doun; (c) cook. ~ up, ?to place (chickens) close together; ?to stuff (chickens).
Associated quotations
a
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)533 : Werkemen..rammed and doluen snel, And gun þat castel fair and wel.
- (1432) Rec.Norwich 2390 : The seyd John Marwe xal rammen and fillen with marl and grauell and make pleyn atte bak of the seyd kaye on hys propir cost, and haue the tymber of the seyd kaye and take it up.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)422 : Ramme, ynstrument to ram wythe: Pilus..Ramnyn [Win: Rammyn] wythe an instrument: Trudo, tero, pilo.
b
- a1450(1408) *Vegetius(1) (Dc 291)96b : In þe makynge of þese walles, fille vp þat voyde space þat is bytwene hem with þe erthe of þe outcastyng of þi diches and loke hit be wel beten & rammed [L densatur] wiþ beteles & tredyng of manis feet.
- a1450(1408) *Vegetius(1) (Dc 291)103a : Muskelus ben I-cleped litel gynnes of werre þat defendeþ þe fighteres and þe werriours in brynginge of stones, fagottes, tymber, & erthe while þei filleþ vp þe diches, & also rammeth [L solidant] þe loos erþe to make sad grounde.
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)2272 : Caste in the moolde, sadde it with mal & lever, Out of the dich caste it bitwix the wallys, And ramme it doun with punchonys & mallis.
c
- (a1399) Form Cury (Add 5016)p.24 : Chykens in Cawdel: Take Chikens and boile hem in gode broth and ramme hem up.