ramrod
pronunciation
How to pronounce ramrod in British English:
UK [ˈræmrɒd]
How to pronounce ramrod in American English:
US [ ˈræmrɑːd]
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- Noun:
- a rod used to ram the charge into a muzzle-loading firearm
- a harshly demanding overseer
- a rod used to clean the barrel of a firearm
Word Origin
- ramrod (n.)
- 1757, literally "a rod used in ramming" (the charge of a gun), from ram (v.) + rod. Used figuratively for straightness or stiffness from 1939, also figuratively for formality, primness (ramroddy is in Century Dictionary, 1902). The verb is 1948, from the noun. Related: Ramrodded; ramrodding.
Example
- 1. The smiles will be wooden the backs ramrod straight .
- 2. The soldiers stood at ramrod attention .
- 3. She sat there stiff as a ramrod .
- 4. Tom flies out of the door , ramrod in one hand and rifle in the other .
- 5. Tom flew out of the door , ramrod in one hand and rifle in the other .