rote
rote Lexical Profile
rote Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Proceeding mechanically and repetitively from memory or habit, without deep thought or comprehension.
"Modern educators often favor critical thinking exercises over rote memorization."
• noun
Mechanical or habitual repetition of something to be learned, often without full attention to or comprehension of the meaning.
"The students learned the multiplication tables by rote before moving on to complex division."
A medieval stringed musical instrument, similar to a lyre, zither, or crowd, played either by plucking or with a bow.
"The minstrel tuned his rote before performing a ballad for the royal court."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'rote' with its homophone 'wrote', the past tense of the verb 'write'. As a noun, 'rote' is most commonly encountered in the prepositional phrase 'by rote'.
• Rhymes for rote
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Originating in Middle English in the 14th century, 'rote' is likely borrowed from Old French 'rote' (meaning route, way, or regular course), which itself derives from the Latin 'rupta (via)', meaning a broken or beaten path.