rut
rut Lexical Profile
rut Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A habit or pattern of behavior that has become dull, unproductive, and difficult to change.
"After working in the same position for ten years, he felt stuck in a professional rut and decided to learn a new skill."
A long, deep track or groove made by the repeated passage of wheels in soft ground.
"The heavy farm tractors left deep muddy ruts along the unpaved country lane."
An annual period of sexual activity and reproductive competition in deer and certain other hoofed mammals, during which the males vie for females.
"Wildlife photographers often visit the national park in autumn to observe the elk during the annual rut."
• verb
To make deep tracks or grooves in a surface or piece of ground (especially by the passage of wheels).
"Heavy logging trucks had badly rutted the dirt road after the spring rains."
To be in the annual period of reproductive activity and competition (of male deer, rams, and certain other mammals).
"The stags begin to rut in mid-autumn as the temperatures drop."
• Rhymes for rut
Word Origin & Etymology
The word represents two distinct etymological roots: the sense of a wheel track dates to the late 16th century, likely from Old French 'route' (way or path) from Latin 'rupta via' (broken road). The zoological sense of a mating season comes via Middle English from Old French 'ruit', ultimately from Latin 'rugitus' meaning a roaring (of stags).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.