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lout - What does it mean?

Definition of 'lout'

English

Etymology 1

Of dialectal origin, compare Middle English louten'' "to bow, bend low, stoop over" from Old English ''l?tan from (etyl) .

Noun

(en-noun)
  • A troublemaker, often violent; a rude violent person; a yob.
  • *
  • *:But the lout looked only to his market, and was not easily repulsed. ΒΆ "He's there, I tell you," he persisted. "And for threepence I'll get you to see him. Come on, your honour! It's many a Westminster election I've seen, and beer running, from Mr. Fox,when maybe it's your honour's going to stand! Anyway, it's, Down with the mongers!"
  • A clownish, awkward fellow; a bumpkin.
  • :(Sir Philip Sidney)
    • Synonyms
    * See also * yob
    Related terms
    * lager lout

    See also

    * hooligan * thug * yob, yobbo

    Verb

    (en-verb)
  • (obsolete) To treat as a lout or fool; to neglect; to disappoint.
    • (Shakespeare)

    Etymology 2

    (etyl) l?tan'', from Germanic. Cognate with Old Norse , Swedish ''luta .

    Verb

    (en-verb)
  • (archaic) To bend, bow, stoop.
  • * 1590 , Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene , I.i:
    • He faire the knight saluted, louting low, / Who faire him quited, as that courteous was [...].
  • * 1885 , Sir Richard Burton, The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night , vol. 1:
    • He took the cup in his hand and, louting low, returned his best thanks [...].

    References

    Similar to 'lout'

    let, lit, leet, loot, lot, lait, leat, lat