cram.html - See: WRITER'S CRAMP.

cram.html - {v. phr.}, {informal} To limit your natural freedom; prevent your usual behavior; limit your actions or talk. * /He cramped his style a good deal when he lost his money./ * /Army rules cramped George's style./

cram.html - v.
(crammed, cramming)
1 tr. a fill to bursting; stuff (the room was crammed). b (foll. by in, into) force (a thing) into (cram the sandwiches into the bag).
2 tr. & intr. prepare for an examination by intensive study.
3 tr. (often foll. by with) feed (poultry etc.) to excess.
4 tr. & intr. colloq. eat greedily.

cram-full as full as possible. cram in push in to bursting point (crammed in another five minutes' work). [OE crammian f. Gmc]

cram.html - n.
a game in which a player gives a word or verse-line to which each of the others must find a rhyme. [earlier crambe, app. allusive f. L crambe repetita cabbage served up again]

cram.html - n.
a person or institution that crams pupils for examinations.

cram.html - n. & v.
--n.

1 a a painful involuntary contraction of a muscle or muscles from the cold, exertion, etc. b = writer's cramp (see WRITER ).
2 (also cramp-iron) a metal bar with bent ends for holding masonry etc. together.
3 a portable tool for holding two planks etc. together; a clamp.
4 a restraint.

--v.

tr.
1 affect with cramp.
2 confine narrowly.
3 restrict (energies etc.).
4 (as cramped adj.) (of handwriting) small and difficult to read.
5 fasten with a cramp.

cramp a person's style prevent a person from acting freely or naturally. cramp up confine narrowly. [ME f. OF crampe f. MDu., MLG krampe, OHG krampfo f. adj. meaning 'bent': cf. CRIMP]