A runt is a term originally used to describe the smallest and weakest piglet in a family (or litter) of young ones. Typically the runt would get bullied by its siblings, pushed away at feeding time etc, and often not survive. The word is also often used to describe the weakest person in a family or other group: The full phrase is "the runt of the litter."
A runt is an unusually small animal and this term is usually used to mean the smallest animal in a litter. Runt can also be used, and is generally slang and derogatory, to describe a child that is particularly small and has difficulty keeping up with their peers.
Many animals will bear a runt with each litter they produce. The survival of runts has historically been of interest to scientists. The runt will usually be notably smaller and often weaker than other animals in the litter. Runts will often have great difficulty competing for food and warmth with their siblings and will generally fail to thrive. When runts survive, they often mature into smaller than average versions of their brothers and sisters. It is often observed that runts develop unique personality traits as a result of having such a competitive and occasionally brutal childhood. Occasionally runts will be separated from a litter and given extra food and attention by a human caregiver in the hope that they will develop normally.
The earliest appearance of the word ‘runt’ in the English language dates to 1501 and was used to mean an old or decaying tree stump. However, there is no certainty as to where the word came from originally. By 1549 people were often using the term to describe unusually small animals, and by 1841 the term runt had entered the vernacular to mean the smallest animal in a litter.
Stories such as E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web have romanticized the runt and, in this case, made Wilbur the pig a famous runt. Some people cling to the idea that a runt of the litter is small, helpless, and weak and take it on as a personal mission to nurture these animals in order to give them the best chance in life. Children’s books often cast a runt – whether animal or human – as the hero to demonstrate ability to overcome adversity.
Other people take a more scientific approach to the runt and believe that they are nature’s way of creating a potentially dispensable member of a litter. This theory dictates that, if the runt survives then all-the-better, but if food is scarce, then a runt will not be missed. It is sometimes the case that a runt will be eaten by a parent or sibling when resources are limited or as a reaction to stress. This is a particular problem with pigs.
A runt is the smallest and weakest animal of that particular litter. My dog was the runt but there's nothing wrong with her so it doesn't always mean anything.
YEAH, lots of good definitions, all basically saying the same thing, wonderful!!! Therefore, I'm sure you got the definition of a "runt" now BUT when I read you question it brought up something for me that I wanted to share with you. On two separate occasions I chose the runt of the litter when choosing a pet. Once when I chose a kitten and once with a little puppy. I have to tell you that yes, the runt is usually the little "reject" of the family BUT I have to say that both those pets grew up to become my most memorable ones. I'm not sure if it has to do with the early rejection or what but they both certainly grew up to be real little characters. I will always chose the "runt" whenever I go to get a pet because they are usually also the most loving little creatures!!!!
I agree that runts can be more affectionate. I have a Yorkie mix who is adorable and very loving, however he is also very needy and high strung and I wonder if this might also be a trait of a runt or if it is just his own personality. Has anyone else had a runt who seems a bit more high strung and clingy?
