What does "runt" mean?
Runt: (Zoöl.) A variety of domestic pigeon, related to the barb and carrier.
Additional senses
- 2.A dwarf; also, a mean, despicable, boorish person; -- used opprobriously. Before I buy a bargain of such runts, I'll buy a college for bears, and live among 'em. Beau. & Fl.
- 3.The dead stump of a tree; also, the stem of a plant. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Halliwell. Neither young poles nor old runts are durable. Holland.
Sources
- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
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- Published: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00 · Modified: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00