trot

¹ American  

[trot] / trɒt /

verb (used without object)

trotted, trotting

1. (of a horse) to go at a gait between a walk and a run, in which the legs move in diagonal pairs, but not quite simultaneously, so that when the movement is slow one foot at least is always on the ground, and when fast all four feet are momentarily off the ground at once.

2. to go at a quick, steady pace; move briskly; bustle; hurry.

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verb (used with object)

trotted, trotting

1. to cause to trot.

2. to ride (a horse) at a trot.

3. to lead at a trot.

4. to travel over by trotting.

   to spend the day trotting the country byways.

5. to execute by trotting.

noun

1. the gait of a horse, dog, or other quadruped, when trotting.

2. the sound made by an animal when trotting.

3. the jogging gait of a human being, between a walk and a run.

4. Harness Racing. a race for trotters.

5. brisk, continuous movement or activity.

   I've been on the trot all afternoon.

6. Archaic: Disparaging. an old woman.

7. Slang. a literal translation used illicitly in doing schoolwork; crib; pony.

8. Informal. the trots, diarrhea.

9. Informal. a toddling child.

verb phrase

1. trot out

   1. to bring forward for inspection.

   2. to bring to the attention of; introduce; submit.

      He trots out his old jokes at every party.

trot ² American  

[trot] / trɒt /

noun

1. a trotline.

2. a short line with hooks, attached to the trotline.

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trot ¹ British  

/ trɒt /

verb

1. to move or cause to move at a trot

2. angling to fish (a fast-moving stream or river) by using a float and weighted line that carries the baited hook just above the bottom

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noun

1. a gait of a horse or other quadruped, faster than a walk, in which diagonally opposite legs come down together See also jog trot rising trot sitting trot

2. a steady brisk pace

3. (in harness racing) a race for horses that have been trained to trot fast

4. angling

   1. one of the short lines attached to a trotline

   2. the trotline

5. informal a run of luck

   a good trot

6. a small child; tot

7. slang a student's crib

8. informal

   1. one after the other

      to read two books on the trot

   2. busy, esp on one's feet

9. informal

   1. diarrhoea

   2. trotting races

Trot ² British  

/ trɒt /

noun

1. informal a follower of Trotsky; Trotskyist

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trot Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing trot

• hot to trot

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Sensitive Note

The meaning “old woman” is archaic, used with disparaging intent especially in contexts where the woman is regarded as mean, ugly, etc.

Other Word Forms

• untrotted adjective

Etymology

Origin of trot¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English verb trotten, trot(te), from Middle French trot(t)er, from Germanic; akin to Old High German trottōn “to tread,” Middle High German trotten “to run”; noun derivative of the verb

Origin of trot²

First recorded in 1880–85; short for trotline

Example Sentences

He did not score again but did set up a try for winger Teddy Thomas with a pin-point crossfield kick before trotting off after an hour with victory secure.

From Barron's

Burry is just as likely to be dismissed on social media, where jokers trot out a version of a wisecrack that he predicted 20 of the last two recessions.

From The Wall Street Journal

That could include mortgage rate subsidies, though similar moves trotted out in cities like Wuhan and Changchun indicate that this would lead to only a limited sales boost at best, they said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Others applauded that decision, content not to trot out their work-party ensemble and contrive the holiday cheer.

From The Wall Street Journal

In his suit and tie, he got on the back of a horse and trotted down the street.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• amble
• hurry
• jog
• lope
• scamper