rampike

[ ram-pahyk ]

noun

, Chiefly Canadian.

1. a dead tree, especially the bleached skeleton or splintered trunk of a tree killed by fire, lightning, or wind.

Word History and Origins

Origin of rampike¹

First recorded in 1585–95; origin unknown

Example Sentences

He took it from his comrade and, striding forward, attacked the nearest rampike.

From Project Gutenberg

The sound jarred upon Carroll’s nerves, as the thud of the felled rampike had not done, but Vane picked up one of the chips and handed it to him.

From Project Gutenberg

In the dust, a big rampike slanted, broke, and plunged.

From Project Gutenberg

You tell your story from the viewpoint of Skyler Rampike, the brother of a 6-year-old murder victim.

From Time Magazine Archive

He slept uneasily, waking from time to time; but it was only to hear the solemn cry of a horned owl sitting on some dead limb, or rampike; or the long, wailing laughter of a loon from the water-meadows to the south.

From Project Gutenberg