A Word A Day : Rout

Sunday, 13th April 2008 : Today's Word is ...

Rout




( Verb & Noun )


Past and past participle : routed
Present participle : routing
3rd person present singular : routs


Pronunciation : ro-ut


Definition:



1. A disorderly retreat or flight following defeat

2. An overwhelming defeat

3. A disorderly crowd of people

4. People of the lowest class

5. A public disturbance

6. A company, as of knights or wolves, that are in movement

7. To put to disorderly flight or retreat

8. To defeat overwhelmingly

A rout is commonly defined as a chaotic and disorderly retreat or withdrawal of troops from a battlefield, resulting in the victory of the opposing party, or following defeat, a collapse of discipline, or poor morale.

A rout is also a synonym for an overwhelming defeat as well as a verb meaning to put to disorderly retreat or to defeat utterly and is often used in sports to describe a blowout.


Etymology:


Middle English route from Old French, troop, defeat, from Vulgar Latin rupta from feminine of Latin ruptus, past participle of rumpere to break.


Synonyms:


beating, defeat, drubbing, overthrow, thrashing, vanquishment, beat, best, conquer, defeat, master, overcome


Antonyms:


victory, lose, win


Contextual Examples:


• Did the home team rout the visiting team?

• This film is about the flock of starlings which Jasper had routed with his gun.

• Scarcely had the battle begun when a great rout overwhelmed the Mice who scampered off as fast as they could to their holes.

• He has the skills to rout an opponent in conversation.


Related Words:


routs : Noun - Plural


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