5 entries under this word
n. [O. Fr. rote, Pr. & O. Sp. rota, M. H. Ger. rotte, O. H. Ger. rota, hrota, L. Lat. chrotta, Ir. crot, cruit, W. crwth. Cf. CROWD, CROWTH.] (Mus.) A kind of guitar, the notes of which were produced by a small wheel or wheel-like arrangement; an instrument similar to the hurdy-gurdy. “Extracting mistuned dirges from their harps, crowds, and rotes.” W. Scott.
n. [O. Fr. rote, N. Fr. route, road, path, whence routine. See ROUTE and ROUTINE.] A frequent repetition of forms of speech without attention to the meaning; mere repetition; as, to learn by rote.
Thy love did read by rote, and could not spell. Shak.
Learn Aristotle's rules by rote. Swift.
n. [Fr. rut, roaring. See Rut.] The noise produced by the surf of the sea dashing upon the shore. See Rut. “The sea’s rote.” Mir. for Mag.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. ROTED; p. pr. & vb. n. RO-TING.] To fix in the memory by means of frequent repetition, or by hearing the repetition of others, without an effort of the understanding to comprehend what is repeated, and without the aid of rules or principles. [Obs.] Shak.
To go out by rotation or succession; to rotate. [Obs.] Grey.