rote Hear it!

rote1 definition

rote (rōt)

noun

a fixed, mechanical way of doing something; routine

Etymology: ME < ?

rote Idioms

by rote

by memory alone, without understanding or thought to answer by rote
rote2 definition

rote (rōt)

noun

the sound of the surf beating on the shore

Etymology: prob. via ME dial. < Scand, as in ON rauta, to roar, akin to OHG rōz, a weeping, wailing: for IE base see raucous

rote3 definition

rote (rōt)

noun

a medieval stringed instrument, variously supposed to have been a kind of lyre, lute, or harp

Etymology: ME < OFr < Frank *hrōta (akin to OHG hrotta) < Celt chrotta > Welsh crwth, crowd

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

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.