trot

¹

[trot]

verb (used without object)

trotted, trotting 

1. (of a horse) to go at a gait between a walk and a run, in which the legs move in diagonal pairs, but not quite simultaneously, so that when the movement is slow one foot at least is always on the ground, and when fast all four feet are momentarily off the ground at once.

2. to go at a quick, steady pace; move briskly; bustle; hurry.

verb (used with object)

trotted, trotting 

1. to cause to trot.

2. to ride (a horse) at a trot.

3. to lead at a trot.

4. to travel over by trotting.

   to spend the day trotting the country byways.

5. to execute by trotting.

noun

1. the gait of a horse, dog, or other quadruped, when trotting.

2. the sound made by an animal when trotting.

3. the jogging gait of a human being, between a walk and a run.

4. Harness Racing.,  a race for trotters.

5. brisk, continuous movement or activity.

   I've been on the trot all afternoon.

6. Archaic: Disparaging.,  an old woman.

7. Slang.,  a literal translation used illicitly in doing schoolwork; crib; pony.

8. Informal.,  the trots, diarrhea.

9. Informal.,  a toddling child.

verb phrase

1. trot out

   1. to bring forward for inspection.

   2. to bring to the attention of; introduce; submit.

      He trots out his old jokes at every party.

trot

²

[trot]

noun

1. a trotline.

2. a short line with hooks, attached to the trotline.

trot

¹

/ trɒt /

verb

1. to move or cause to move at a trot

2. angling to fish (a fast-moving stream or river) by using a float and weighted line that carries the baited hook just above the bottom

noun

1. a gait of a horse or other quadruped, faster than a walk, in which diagonally opposite legs come down together See also jog trot rising trot sitting trot

2. a steady brisk pace

3. (in harness racing) a race for horses that have been trained to trot fast

4. angling

   1. one of the short lines attached to a trotline

   2. the trotline

5. informal,  a run of luck

   a good trot

6. a small child; tot

7. slang,  a student's crib

8. informal

   1. one after the other

      to read two books on the trot

   2. busy, esp on one's feet

9. informal

   1. diarrhoea

   2. trotting races

Trot

²

/ trɒt /

noun

1. informal,  a follower of Trotsky; Trotskyist

Sensitive Note

The meaning “old woman” is archaic, used with disparaging intent especially in contexts where the woman is regarded as mean, ugly, etc.

Other Word Forms

• untrotted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of trot¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English verb trotten, trot(te), from Middle French trot(t)er, from Germanic; akin to Old High German trottōn “to tread,” Middle High German trotten “to run”; noun derivative of the verb

Origin of trot²

First recorded in 1880–85; short for trotline

Word History and Origins

Origin of trot¹

C13: from Old French trot , from troter to trot, of Germanic origin; related to Middle High German trotten to run

Idioms and Phrases

• hot to trot

Example Sentences

This is a woman from Possum Trot, Alabama, who grew up with nothing, a very modest upbringing, but people love her.

From Salon

On Thursday, Cavenaugh attended Piedmont’s annual Turkey Trot and called on community members to remember the three high school graduates killed.

From Los Angeles Times

“Possum Trot” is also inspired by a true story about 22 families in a small town in East Texas who adopt 77 foster kids.

From Seattle Times

This weekend, for example, Turner and wife, Kourtney, waited to schedule their annual “Turner Trot” charity event for when the Dodgers would be in Boston.

From Los Angeles Times

“Trot” is a Korean music genre that has been around for decades.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• amble 
• hurry 
• jog 
• lope 
• scamper