/ English Dictionary |
REAM
Pronunciation (US): | (GB): |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
A quantity of paper; 480 or 500 sheets; one ream equals 20 quires
Classified under:
Nouns denoting quantities and units of measure
Hypernyms ("ream" is a kind of...):
definite quantity (a specific measure of amount)
Meronyms (parts of "ream"):
quire (a quantity of paper; 24 or 25 sheets)
Sense 2
Meaning:
A large quantity of written matter
Example:
he wrote reams and reams
Classified under:
Nouns denoting quantities and units of measure
Hypernyms ("ream" is a kind of...):
large indefinite amount; large indefinite quantity (an indefinite quantity that is above the average in size or magnitude)
II. (verb)
Verb forms
Present simple: I / you / we / they ream ... he / she / it reams
Past simple: reamed
-ing form: reaming
Sense 1
Meaning:
Example:
ream a hole
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Hypernyms (to "ream" is one way to...):
enlarge (make larger)
Verb group:
ream (remove by making a hole or by boring)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Derivation:
reamer (a drill that is used to shape or enlarge holes)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Remove by making a hole or by boring
Example:
the dentist reamed out the debris in the course of the root canal treatment
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Hypernyms (to "ream" is one way to...):
remove; take; take away; withdraw (remove something concrete, as by lifting, pushing, or taking off, or remove something abstract)
Verb group:
ream (enlarge with a reamer)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Sense 3
Meaning:
Squeeze the juice out (of a fruit) with a reamer
Example:
ream oranges
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Hypernyms (to "ream" is one way to...):
express; extract; press out (obtain from a substance, as by mechanical action)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Derivation:
reamer (a squeezer with a conical ridged center that is used for squeezing juice from citrus fruit)