runt

American  

[ruhnt] / rʌnt /

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.

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runt British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• runtiness noun
• runtish adjective
• runtishly adverb
• runtishness noun
• runty adjective

Etymology

Origin of runt

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

Example Sentences

“That’s true, she could, but she’s not here right now, is she? All I can see here is a skinny little runt, a daydreaming daffodil, and a giant loaf of bread.”

From Literature

The Rams were nearly toppled by the runts, barely surviving what should have been a blowout, profusely sweating through a wild-card playoff game that should have been a breeze, and now you wonder.

From Los Angeles Times

I’m thirsty, so I guess I should drag the remains of the rabbit to the stream for the runts.

From Literature

But Dek is the approximate size of a large human, a veritable runt in a race of beings that are typically between 7 and 8 feet tall.

From Salon

He’s the runt of the litter, and the comedy relief.

From Los Angeles Times