trots
trots Lexical Profile
trots Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To move at a two-beat gait faster than a walk and slower than a canter (of a horse or other quadruped), or to run at a moderate, brisk pace with short steps (of a person).
"The pony trots eagerly across the paddock whenever it sees the stable hand carrying a bucket of oats."
To cause a horse or other animal to move at a trot.
"The rider trots her mare in a wide circle so the veterinarian can observe its stride."
• noun
Plural form of trot; instances of a two-beat gait of a horse or other quadruped, faster than a walk and slower than a canter, or a brisk jogging pace by a person.
"The instructor had the riders practice transitions between walks and trots around the arena."
(slang, with "the") An acute bout of diarrhea.
"After drinking untreated water from the stream, the hiker came down with a bad case of the trots."
(usually "the trots") A race or series of races for harness horses that move at a trotting or pacing gait.
"Every Saturday evening during the summer, my grandfather loved going to the county fairgrounds to watch the trots."
Word Nuance & Usage
When preceded by the definite article ("the trots"), it is used in informal slang to mean diarrhea or harness racing, whereas without the article it functions as the standard plural of "trot" or the third-person singular verb.
• Rhymes for trots
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from Middle English trotten, borrowed from Old French troter ("to trot, go at a brisk pace"), which is likely of Germanic origin related to the root of "tread."