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runt

(rŭnt)

1. An undersized animal, especially the smallest animal of a litter.

2. Derogatory A short person.

[Early Modern English runt, small ox or cow fattened for slaughter, from Dutch rund, head of cattle, from Middle Dutch runt, head of cattle, ox; see ker-¹ in the Appendix of Indo-European roots. Perhaps also influenced in meaning by Early Modern English runt, old tree stump, of unknown origin.]

runti·ness n.

runty adj.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices