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rout
1[ rout ]
/ raʊt /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
noun
verb (used with object)
to disperse in defeat and disorderly flight: to rout an army.
to defeat decisively: to rout an opponent in conversation.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Origin of rout
1First recorded in 1200–50; (noun) Middle English, from Anglo-French rute, Old French route “a fraction, detachment,” from Latin rupta, feminine past participle of rumpere “to break”; (verb) derivative of the noun
Words nearby rout
Roussel, Roussillon, roust, roustabout, rouster, rout, route, Route 128, routeman, route march, route one
Other definitions for rout (2 of 4)
rout2
[ rout ]
/ raʊt /
verb (used without object)
to root: pigs routing in the garden.
to poke, search, or rummage.
verb (used with object)
Origin of rout
2First recorded in 1540–50; alteration of root2; compare Middle Dutch ruten “to root out”
Other definitions for rout (3 of 4)
rout3
[ rout ]
/ raʊt /
verb (used without object) Archaic.
to snore.
Origin of rout
3First recorded before 900; Middle English routen, Old English hrūtan; cognate with Old High German hrūzan
Other definitions for rout (4 of 4)
rout4
[ rout, root ]
/ raʊt, rut /
verb (used with or without object)
to bellow; roar.
noun
a bellow.
Origin of rout
4First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English rowten, from Old Norse rauta “to bellow”; akin to Latin rudere
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use rout in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for rout (1 of 2)
rout1
/ (raʊt) /
noun
an overwhelming defeat
a disorderly retreat
a noisy rabble
law a group of three or more people proceeding to commit an illegal act
archaic a large party or social gathering
verb
(tr) to defeat and cause to flee in confusion
Word Origin for rout
C13: from Anglo-Norman rute, from Old French: disorderly band, from Latin ruptus broken, from rumpere to burst; see route
British Dictionary definitions for rout (2 of 2)
rout2
/ (raʊt) /
verb
to dig over or turn up (something), esp (of an animal) with the snout; root
(tr ; usually foll by out or up) to get or find by searching
(tr usually foll by out) to force or drive outthey routed him out of bed at midnight
(tr often foll by out) to hollow or gouge out
(intr) to search, poke, or rummage
Word Origin for rout
C16: variant of root ²
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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