ream

ream
{{11}}ream (n.) mid-14c., from O.Fr. reyme, from Sp. resma, from Arabic rizmah "bundle" (of paper), from rasama "collect into a bundle." The Moors brought manufacture of cotton paper to Spain. Early variant rym (late 15c.) suggests a Dutch influence (Cf. Du. riem), probably during the time of Spanish Hapsburg control of Holland. Properly, 20 quires or 480 sheets, usually 500 or more to allow for waste. Of paper for printing, 21 and a half quires, or 516 sheets (printers' ream).
{{12}}ream (v.) "to enlarge a hole," 1815, probably a S.W. England dialect survival from M.E. reme "to make room, open up," from O.E. ryman "widen, extend, enlarge," from P.Gmc. *rumijanan (Cf. O.S. rumian, O.N. ryma, O.Fris. rema, O.H.G. rumen "to make room, widen"), from *rumaz "spacious" (see ROOM (Cf. room)). Slang meaning "to cheat, swindle" first recorded 1914; anal sex sense is from 1942. To ream (someone) out "scold, reprimand" is recorded from 1950.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Ream — Ream, n. [OE. reme, OF. rayme, F. rame (cf. Sp. resma), fr. Ar. rizma a bundle, especially of paper.] A bundle, package, or quantity of paper, usually consisting of twenty quires or 480 sheets. [1913 Webster] {Printer s ream}, twenty one and a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • ream — [riːm] noun [countable] 1. reams [plural] a large amount of writing or information, usually on paper: • They have to wade through reams of data. 2. a pack containing 500 pieces of paper * * * ream UK US /riːm/ noun ● reams of sth …   Financial and business terms

  • Ream — may refer to:* Paper ream, a unit of 500 sheets of paper * Reamer, a tool used to widen a hole * Vinnie Ream, an American sculptor …   Wikipedia

  • Ream — ist der Familienname folgender Personen: Tim Ream (* 1987), US amerikanischer Fußballspieler Vinnie Ream (1846–1914), US amerikanische Bildhauerin Diese Seite ist eine Begriffsklärung zur Unterscheidung mehrerer mit demselben …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • ream — ream·age; ream; ream·er; …   English syllables

  • Ream — (r[=e]m), n. [AS. re[ a]m, akin to G. rahm.] Cream; also, the cream or froth on ale. [Scot.] [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Ream — Ream, v. i. To cream; to mantle. [Scot.] [1913 Webster] A huge pewter measuring pot which, in the language of the hostess, reamed with excellent claret. Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Ream — Ream, v. t. [Cf. {Reim}.] To stretch out; to draw out into thongs, threads, or filaments. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Ream — Ream, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Reamed} (r[=e]md); p. pr. & vb. n. {Reaming}.] [Cf. G. r[ a]umen to remove, to clear away, fr. raum room. See {Room}.] To bevel out, as the mouth of a hole in wood or metal; in modern usage, to enlarge or dress out, as… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Ream — (spr. rīm), »Ries«, engl. Zählmaß für Papier = 1/10 Bale, 20 Quires von 24 Bogen …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • ream — ► NOUN 1) 500 (formerly 480) sheets of paper. 2) a large quantity of something, especially paper. ORIGIN Old French raime, from an Arabic word meaning bundle …   English terms dictionary

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