Hypertext Webster Gateway: "riot"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Riot \Ri"ot\, n. [OF. riote, of uncertain origin; cf. OD. revot,
ravot.]
1. Wanton or unrestrained behavior; uproar; tumult.
His headstrong riot hath no curb. --Shak.
2. Excessive and exxpensive feasting; wild and loose
festivity; revelry.
Venus loveth riot and dispense. --Chaucer.
The lamb thy riot dooms to bleed to-day. --Pope.
3. (Law) The tumultuous disturbance of the public peace by an
unlawful assembly of three or more persons in the
execution of some private object.
{To run riot}, to act wantonly or without restraint.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Riot \Ri"ot\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Rioted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Rioting}.] [OF. rioter; cf. OD. ravotten.]
1. To engage in riot; to act in an unrestrained or wanton
manner; to indulge in excess of luxury, feasting, or the
like; to revel; to run riot; to go to excess.
Now he exact of all, wastes in delight, Riots in
pleasure, and neglects the law. --Daniel.
No pulse that riots, and no blood that glows.
--Pope.
2. (Law) To disturb the peace; to raise an uproar or
sedition. See {Riot}, n., 3. --Johnson.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Riot \Ri"ot\, v. t.
To spend or pass in riot.
[He] had rioted his life out. --Tennyson.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
riot
n 1: a public act of violence by an unruly mob [syn: {public
violence}]
2: a state of disorder involving group violence [syn: {rioting}]
3: a joke that seems extremely funny [syn: {belly laugh}, {sidesplitter},
{howler}, {thigh-slapper}, {scream}, {wow}]
4: a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and
promiscuity [syn: {orgy}, {debauch}, {debauchery}, {saturnalia},
{bacchanal}, {bacchanalia}, {drunken revelry}]
v 1: take part in a riot; disturb the public peace by engaging in
a riot; "Students were rioting everywhere in 1968"
2: engage in boisterous, drunken merry-making; "They were out
carousing last night" [syn: {carouse}, {roister}]
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