Definition of the word cram

The word "cram" has an interesting etymology. It originated in the 14th century from the Old French word "crompier," which means "to compress" or "to crowd." This Old French word is derived from the Latin "compressus," meaning "pressed together." In its earliest sense, the English word "cram" referred to physically compressing or crowding something, such as cramming a crowd of people into a small space. Over time, the meaning of "cram" shifted to include the idea of stuffing or packing something, like cramming one's stomach with food. In the 17th century, "cram" took on a new sense, referring to studying intensively or memorizing large amounts of information, often in a short period of time. This usage likely arose from the idea of compressing or cramming one's brain with knowledge, similar to physically compressing or packing objects. Today, the word "cram" is commonly used to describe both physical and mental compression.