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   rampant

   /ˈramp(ə)nt/

   adjective

   • 1. (especially of something unwelcome) flourishing or spreading unchecked: "political violence was rampant" Similar uncontrolledunrestraineduncheckedunbridledwidespreadpandemicepidemicpervasiveout of controlout of handrifespreading like wildfireOpposite controlledunder control
   • ▪ unrestrained in action or performance: "rampant sex" Similar vehementstrongviolentforcefulragingwildintensefanaticalpassionateOpposite mild
   • ▪ (of a plant) lush in growth; luxuriant: "a rich soil soon becomes home to rampant weeds" Similar luxuriantexuberantlushrankrichriotousprofuselavishvigorousproductiveinformal:jungly
   • 2. (of an animal) represented standing on one hind foot with its forefeet in the air (typically in profile, facing the dexter side, with right hind foot and tail raised): "two gold lions rampant" Similar uprightstanding (up)erectrearingverticalperpendicularupendedon end

   Word Origin Middle English (as a heraldic term): from Old French, literally ‘crawling’, present participle of ramper (see ramp). From the original use describing a wild animal arose the sense ‘fierce’, whence the current notion of ‘unrestrained’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. rampancy noun
   • 2. rampantly adverb

   Scrabble Points: 11

   • R

     1

   • A

     1

   • M

     3

   • P

     3

   • A

     1

   • N

     1

   • T

     1

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