Runt (?) n. [Written also rant.] [Scot. runt an old cow. withered woman, a hardened stem or stalk, of a tree; cf. D. rund a bullock, an ox or . Cf. Rother, a.] 1. Zool. Any animal which is unusually small, as compared with others of its kind; -- applied particulary to domestic animals.
2. Zool. A variety of domestic pigeon, related to the barb and carrier.
3. 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.
4. 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.
© Webster 1913. | 
