rut

[eberntson]

rut [ rut ]

I think the Merriam-Webster origin of this word makes it quite fascinating. A little word that seems to be quite common in European languages.

OED:
noun : sexual excitement in male deer: a period of sexual excitement that recurs annually in male ruminants, especially deer

intransitive verb (past and past participle rut·ted, present participle rut·ting, 3rd person present singular ruts)

Definition:

zoology be in rut: to be in a state of sexual excitement ( refers to male ruminants )


[12th century. < Old French, "bellowing, roaring (of a stag in rut)" < late Latin rugitus "roaring" < Latin rugire "to roar"]


rut·tish adjective

Merriam-Webster:

rut

Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English rutte, from Middle French ruit rut, disturbance, from Late Latin rugitus roar, from Latin rugire to roar; akin to Middle Irish rucht roar, Old Church Slavic ružati to neigh
Date: 15th century
1: an annually recurrent state of sexual excitement in the male deer ; broadly : sexual excitement in a mammal especially when periodic
2: the period during which rut normally occurs often used with the[/i]

[skinem]

The rut can be an important time for outdoorsmen (outdoorspeople?) and hunters.
Depending upon your location, folks might need to be on the lookout for animals in rut as they are more aggressive and less cautious. You don't want to get in the way of a moose or elk in rut.
Hunters prefer the rut during hunting season as it makes their prey less cautious. The males tend to get a little single-minded. The animal males, I mean.

[sluggo]

The males tend to get a little single-minded. The animal males, I mean.

(Good thing you qualified that. I was wondering about those rock guys.)

So rut is a specific symptom of testosterone poisoning.

I've always wondered what really goes on in Rutland, Vermont...

[Stargzer]

Somehow, the phrase "Stuck in a rut" doesn't conjure up ANY kind of excitement for me. There's a world of difference between being "In the groove" and "Stuck in a rut." Especially for the buck during Bow Season.

[Stargzer]

Speaking of stuck in a rut ...