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Glite Dictionary
hydraulic ram

hydraulic ram

7.2
A device that uses flowing water to lift water to a higher place without electricity
  • noun
  • /haɪˈdrɔːlɪk ræm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : ram hidráulico
  • A hydraulic ram can help provide water for livestock in areas where electricity is unavailable.

Examples

  • The line offers retracting clamps, edge clamps, three-hole hydraulic rams, and collet chucks.

    Academic text (2003)

  • A hydraulic ram-driven linear motion system then pushes the waste, which has been placed in an airtight container, into the furnace.

    Academic text (1995)

  • The hydraulic ram uses the force of water running downhill through a pipe to pump some of that water uphill to a site higher than the source.

  • Farmers often use a hydraulic ram to efficiently raise water for irrigation from nearby streams.

Synonyms

hydraulic pump
vshydraulic ram
  • Specialized
1 4.1

A machine that uses moving water or other liquid to move liquid higher and raise its pressure

uses flowing water kinetic energy only and needs no external power

Surface Forms

hydraulic ram singular
hydraulic rams plural

Morphology

hydraulic + ram

The compound denotes a 'ram' (a mechanical device) that is hydraulic—i.e., driven by liquid pressure—so a learner who knows 'hydraulic' and 'ram' can infer it is a device using water/pressure to move or lift water. This is a straightforward noun–modifier composition found cross-linguistically (e.g., Spanish 'ariete hidráulico'), so the basic meaning is transparently derivable even if the exact pumping mechanism is technical.

Etymology

Hydraulic ram comes from how the machine works: hydraulic means water power and ram means a strong push. Fast water is suddenly stopped by a part and that sudden push lifts some water up a pipe, so the device can 'raise water' without any other power.