runt

C2 Topic:Animals

US /rʌnt/ UK /rʌnt/ See IPA manual

Freq #15604

Meanings

1

noun
the smallest or weakest animal in a litter

The runt needed extra feeding because the larger puppies pushed it aside.
2

noun
an undersized or stunted animal, plant, or person; often disparaging when used of a person

The shaded sapling remained a runt beside the taller trees.
3

noun
a large, heavy-bodied breed of domestic pigeon related to the carrier pigeon

Darwin described the runt as a pigeon with a massive beak and large feet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · the smallest or weakest... smallest of the litterweakling

2 noun · an undersized or stunted... dwarf weakling

3 noun · a large, heavy-bodied breed... runt pigeon

Opposites

giant largest

Word family

Forms runts

Derived forms runtedruntishruntlingrunty

Related forms litterstuntedpigeoncarrier pigeon

Etymology

Of uncertain origin. Earlier senses included a hardened plant stalk and an undersized animal; proposed links to Middle Dutch runt, 'ox,' and Icelandic hrotti, 'brute,' remain disputed. The name of the unusually large pigeon breed is an old specialized sense and contrasts strikingly with the familiar 'smallest of a litter' meaning.

Topics

Animals

External links

# runt

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /rʌnt/
**IPA (UK):** /rʌnt/
**Frequency rank:** 15604

## Meanings
1. the smallest or weakest animal in a litter
2. an undersized or stunted animal, plant, or person; often disparaging when used of a person
3. a large, heavy-bodied breed of domestic pigeon related to the carrier pigeon

## Examples
- The runt needed extra feeding because the larger puppies pushed it aside.
- The shaded sapling remained a runt beside the taller trees.
- Darwin described the runt as a pigeon with a massive beak and large feet.

## Synonyms
- smallest of the litter
- weakling
- dwarf
- runt pigeon

## Antonyms
- giant
- largest

## Derived Forms
- runted
- runtish
- runtling
- runty

## Related Forms
- litter
- stunted
- pigeon
- carrier pigeon

## Etymology
Of uncertain origin. Earlier senses included a hardened plant stalk and an undersized animal; proposed links to Middle Dutch runt, 'ox,' and Icelandic hrotti, 'brute,' remain disputed. The name of the unusually large pigeon breed is an old specialized sense and contrasts strikingly with the familiar 'smallest of a litter' meaning.

## Topics
- Animals

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