First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1rout
noun \ˈrau̇t\
Definition of ROUT
1
: a crowd of people; specifically : rabble 2b
2
a : disturbance b archaic : fuss
3
: a fashionable gathering
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Origin of ROUT
Middle English route band, company of soldiers, crowd, from Anglo-French rute band, from Vulgar Latin *rupta, from Latin, feminine of ruptus, past participle of rumpere to break — more at reave
2rout
verb \ˈrōt, ˈrüt\
Definition of ROUT
intransitive verb
dial chiefly British : to low loudly : bellow —used of cattle
Origin of ROUT
Middle English rowten, from Old Norse rauta; akin to Old English rēotan to weep, Latin rudere to roar
First Known Use: 14th century
3rout
verb \ˈrau̇t\
Definition of ROUT
intransitive verb
1
: to poke around with the snout : root <pigs routing in the earth>
2
: to search haphazardly
transitive verb
1
a archaic : to dig up with the snout b : to gouge out or make a furrow in (as wood or metal)
2
a : to force out as if by digging —usually used with out b : to cause to emerge especially from bed
3
: to come up with : uncover <scouts…routing out new talent — Carrie Donovan>
Origin of ROUT
alteration of 3root
First Known Use: circa 1564
4rout
noun \ˈrau̇t\
Definition of ROUT
1
: a state of wild confusion or disorderly retreat
2
a : a disastrous defeat : debacle b : a precipitate flight
Origin of ROUT
Middle French route defeat, perhaps from mettre en route to set going, put into motion
First Known Use: 1598
5rout
verb \ˈrau̇t\
Definition of ROUT
transitive verb
1
a : to disorganize completely : demoralize b : to put to precipitate flight c : to defeat decisively or disastrously <the discomfiture of seeing their party routed at the polls — A. N. Holcombe>
2
: to drive out : dispel
First Known Use of ROUT
circa 1600
ROUT Defined for Kids
1rout
verb \ˈrau̇t\
rout·edrout·ing
Definition of ROUT for Kids
1
: to cause to run away <Flood routed people from their homes.>
2
: to defeat completely
2rout
noun
Definition of ROUT for Kids
1
: an easy or lopsided defeat <We lost 44-0—it was a rout.>
2
: wild confusion or disorderly retreat
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