runt

[ ruhnt ]
/ rʌnt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR runt ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an animal that is small or stunted as compared with others of its kind.
the smallest or weakest of a litter, especially of pigs or puppies.
a person who is small and contemptible: That runt causes most of the trouble at the meetings.
British Dialect.
  1. an old or decayed tree stump.
  2. an old cow or ox.
  3. an ugly old woman; hag.

Origin of runt

1495–1505; perhaps < Dutch rund bull, cow, ox; akin to German Rind cattle

OTHER WORDS FROM runt

runt·ish, adjective runt·ish·ly, adverb runt·ish·ness, noun

Words nearby runt

runoff, runoff primary, runout, runover, runproof, runt, runty, runup, runway, runyon, ruok

Words related to runtish

short, scrub, dwarf, wee, shot, dwarfed, shrimp, bantam, diminutive, little, measly, mite, peanut, small, tiny, undersized, dwarfish, half-pint, peewee, runty

British Dictionary definitions for runtish

runt
/ (rʌnt) /

noun

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

Derived forms of runt

runtish, adjective runty, adjective runtiness, noun

Word Origin for runt

C16: origin unknown