grunt

Definition

A short snorting sound, often to show disapproval, or used as a reply when one is reluctant to speak.

Etymology

From Middle English grunten, from Old English grunnettan (“to grunt”), from Proto-West Germanic *grunnattjan, from Proto-Germanic *grunnatjaną (“to grunt”), frequentative of Proto-Germanic *grunnōną (“to grunt”), from Proto-Indo-European *gʰrun- (“to shout”). Cognate with German grunzen (“to grunt”), Danish grynte (“to grunt”). The noun senses are all instances of zero derivation from the verb.

Example Sentences

• "The stranger, with a comfortable kind of grunt over his pipe, put his legs up on the settle that he had to himself."
• "The poges stare at the grunts as though the grunts were Hell's Angels at the ballet."
• "The events described are those encountered by only 160 men, though the adversity recounted is representative of that experienced by all grunts in Vietnam."