| runt | 1. <zoology> Any animal which is unusually small, as compared with others of its kind; applied particulary to domestic animals. 2. <zoology> A variety of domestic pigeon, related to the barb and carrier. 3. A dwarf; also, a mean, despicable, boorish person; used opprobriously. "Before I buy a bargain of such runts, I'll buy a college for bears, and live among 'em." (Beau. & Fl) 4. The dead stump of a tree; also, the stem of a plant. "Neither young poles nor old runts are durable." (Holland) Origin: Scot. Runt an old cow. Withered woman, a hardened stem or stalk, of a tree; cf. D. Rund a bullock, an ox or . Cf. Rother. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| runt disease | A graft versus host reaction in mice first observed following intravenous injection of allogeneic spleen cells into newborn animals. Synonym: wasting disease. (05 Mar 2000) |
| runting syndrome | <syndrome> if newborn mice are thymectomised, they do not gain weight and their lymphoid tissue atrophies. Synonym: wasting syndrome. (05 Mar 2000) |