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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