rote

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   memorization or learning through repetition, often without full understanding

   The class learned the multiplication table by rote before applying it to problems.

2. 2
   adj

   performed mechanically from habit or repetition, with little thought or originality

   Her apology sounded rote because she repeated the same words to everyone.

Common collocations

• rote learning Adjective + noun

From Middle English rote, first recorded in the phrase by rote and in the sense 'habit or custom.' Its deeper origin is unknown; proposed links to route or Latin rota, 'wheel,' are not securely established. The adjective developed from the noun's idea of unthinking repetition.

Topics

External links

• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary
• Google Images