runt

noun

ˈrənt 

1

chiefly Scotland : a hardened stalk or stem of a plant

2

: an animal unusually small of its kind

especially : the smallest of a litter of pigs

3

usually disparaging : a person of small stature

runtiness

ˈrən-tē-nəs 

noun

runtish

ˈrən-tish 

adjective

runty

ˈrən-tē 

adjective

Synonyms

• diminutive
• dwarf

Examples of runt in a Sentence

the runt of the litter

one kitten was definitely the runt, weighing only six ounces at birth

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

runt

noun

ˈrənt 

: an unusually small person or animal

runty

-ē 

adjective