runts

IPA/rʌnt/
IPA/rʌnt/

runts — 名詞

  • runtssingular
  • runtsesplural

1. the smallest or weakest baby animal in a group that shares one mother, often nee

1.名詞B1
釋義

最弱小的一隻

同胎動物中最弱小的

the smallest or weakest baby animal in a group that shares one mother, often needing extra help to survive compared to its siblings.

例句

The pig farmer saw the runt of the litter was not feeding as well as the others.

養豬農夫注意到那一窩中最弱小的小豬吃得沒有其他小豬好。

collocation: 'runt of the litter'

Sari adopted the runt though it was half the size of its siblings.

Sari 收養了那隻最瘦小的，即使牠只有兄弟姊妹的一半大。

同義詞
  • weakling

    also describes a weak creature, but not specifically the smallest of a litter

文法句型

runt of [article] + [litter/group]

用法筆記

This sense almost always appears with a following prepositional phrase identifying the group: 'runt of the litter', 'runt of the litter of puppies'.

常見錯誤

❌The cat had four runts.
✅The cat had four kittens, and one was a runt.
💡A litter normally has only one runt; the word refers to the single smallest member, not all small animals.

2. an insulting word for a person who is small, weak, or seen as unimportant, espec

2.名詞B2
釋義

弱小的傢伙

對瘦小者的貶稱

an insulting word for a person who is small, weak, or seen as unimportant, especially by bullies.

例句

The older boys called Theo a runt because he was shorter than his classmates.

幾個大一點的男孩叫 Theo 矮冬瓜，因為他是全班最矮的。

pattern: 'call [someone] a runt'

Salma refused to be treated like a runt for being new to the team.

Salma 拒絕因為她是隊上新來的而被當成小不點。

同義詞
  • weakling

    less common; emphasises physical weakness rather than small size

  • shrimp

    slang for a short person; slightly less harsh than 'runt'

文法句型

call [someone] a runt

用法筆記

This is a derogatory term. Using it about a person is considered insulting and may cause offence. Distinguish from sense 1, which refers only to animals.

常見錯誤

❌He is a runt — he only weighs 50 kg.
✅He is quite short.
💡Calling a person a 'runt' is insulting, not a neutral description of size.