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rogue definition

rogue (rōg)

noun

  1. Obsolete a wandering beggar or tramp; vagabond
  2. a rascal; scoundrel
  3. a fun-loving, mischievous person
  4. an elephant or other animal that wanders apart from the herd and is fierce and wild
  5. Biol. an individual varying markedly from the standard, esp. an inferior one

Etymology: < 16th-c. thieves' slang < ? L rogare, to ask: see rogation

transitive verb rogued, roguing ro′·guing

  1. to cheat
  2. to destroy (plants, etc.) as biological rogues
  3. to remove such plants, etc. from (land, etc.)

intransitive verb

to live or act like a rogue

adjective

  1. acting in defiance of established laws, customs, etc. a rogue nation
  2. lacking required authorization, supervision, etc. a rogue intelligence operation

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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