runt
pronunciation
How to pronounce runt in British English:
UK [rʌnt]
How to pronounce runt in American English:
US [rʌnt]
-
- Noun:
- disparaging terms for small people
Word Origin
- runt (n.)
- c. 1500, "old or decayed tree stump," of unknown origin. Meaning extended to "small ox or cow" (1540s) and by 1610s generally to undersized animals and people. Specific American English sense of "smallest of a litter" (especially of pigs) is attested from 1841. Some see a connection to Middle Dutch runt "ox," but OED thinks this unlikely, and pronounces the word "of obscure origin." Related: Runty (1807).
Example
- 1. Do you actually think you can stop me , runt ?
- 2. Ok , fine . Just hold still , you runt .
- 3. Three of the children are tall , good looking and athletic , but the fourth and youngest is an ugly runt .
- 4. What are you , the runt of the family ?
- 5. He 's just a little runt now , but he 'll grow .