runt

[ ruhnt ]

noun

1. an animal that is small or stunted as compared with others of its kind.
2. the smallest or weakest of a litter, especially of piglets or puppies.
3. a person who is petty and contemptible:

   That runt causes most of the trouble at the meetings.

4. British Dialect.
   1. an old or decayed tree stump.
   2. an old cow or ox.
   3. an ugly old woman; hag.

runt

/ rʌnt /

noun

1. the smallest and weakest young animal in a litter, esp the smallest piglet in a litter
2. derogatory.
   an undersized or inferior person
3. a large pigeon, originally bred for eating

Derived Forms

• ˈruntish, adjective
• ˈruntiness, noun
• ˈrunty, adjective

Other Words From

• runtish adjective
• runtish·ly adverb
• runtish·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of runt¹

First recorded in 1540–50; of uncertain origin, perhaps from Dutch rund “bull, cow, ox”; akin to German Rind “cattle”

Word History and Origins

Origin of runt¹

C16: origin unknown

Example Sentences

“Although I would not necessarily say I was the runt of the litter, I would say that I did at times feel out of place growing up,” Connor says.

From Los Angeles Times

In the early stage, right after injury, runt is activated, kicking off the regeneration process.

From Science Daily

As she inched toward teenage-hood, and Miss Pam was still a runt, she remembers running into whatever house they had in Dallas — before the big moves really started — right before the clock hit 6.

From Los Angeles Times

Likewise, it surely seems a safer bet for many small outlets to become the skinny runt in some equity hedge’s 50-company portfolio, than to stake their writers’ welfare on risky hand-to-mouth alternative revenue models.

From Salon

A floating, translucent marble cube, it nestles at the foot of One World Trade Center, just eight stories high, a runt in a herd of mega-tall commercial skyscrapers but impossible to miss.

From New York Times