vamp
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
To spout, to leave in pawn. Also to cobble, as, "a VAMPED play," and "a VAMPED accompaniment," both terms reflecting discredit on the work, but not necessarily upon the musician.
Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “vamp” mean?
To spout, to leave in pawn. Also to cobble, as, "a VAMPED play," and "a VAMPED accompaniment," both terms reflecting discredit on the work, but not necessarily upon the musician.
Is “vamp” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.