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

Wacky character traits get trotted out merely for visual dazzle, not to generate any intrigue.

From The Wall Street Journal

A pack of rez dogs trot along a four-wheeler path in the ditch.

From Literature

Since starting the campaign with five wins on the trot, Slot's side have won just nine of their next 26 games in the league.

From BBC

The matron relocked the door, then set off so rapidly that my heart hammered as I trotted after her, careful to stay off the precious matting.

From Literature

Anything would be better than trotting out another bog standard pro sports salute to the troops that year.

From Salon

Related Words

• amble
• hurry
• jog
• lope
• scamper