Library / 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) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Enlarge with a reamer

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)

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