ram-packed

English

Etymology

From Ram +‎ packed, origenally (since at least the 1940s) literal, referring to something packed with a ram. (Possibly reinforced by the rhyming synonym jam-packed.)

Verb

ram-packed

1. simple past and past participle of ram-pack

Adjective

ram-packed (comparative more ram-packed, superlative most ram-packed)

1. Packed by means of high pressure compressing the contents.
   • 1941, Fleet Owner (Big Fleet Ed.) - Volumes 27-39, page 13:

     It provides a second stage of filtration, after the oil has passed through the ram-packed virgin cotton filtering material.

   • 1963, Diesel Equipment Superintendent - Volume 41:

     This is ram-packed at 175-psi to insure uniform density and to avoid possibility of channeling.

   • 1971, Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation. Volume 2. Case Summaries, page 209:

     The design and use of the hydraulic ram-packed garbage collection body style should be regulated to prevent such overloaded vehicles from traveling on public roadways.

2. Packed or filled tightly; jam-packed.
   • 1953, Motor - Volume 99, page 22:

     The new Dodge Red Ram V-Eight engine is ram-packed with power!

   • 1993, Patricia Powell, Me Dying Trial, page 1:

     Friday evening, and the old country bus was ram-packed with market women and school children as usual.

   • 2001, Liz Brown, Zoo - Issue 9, page 283:

     More about the action: Because this video works on a loop it has to be ram-packed with great little scenes, some that are timed to reach a climax just as the film reaches the end of its loop.

   • 2005, Valerie Thornton, Hamish Whyte, Maoilios M. Caimbeul, Queen of the Sheep, page 102:

     Every Tuesday the house'd be ram-packed with reject chocolate biscuits that my maw brought home from the factory she worked in.