In a group of animals, a runt is a member which is significantly smaller or weaker than the others. Owing to its small size, a runt in a litter faces obvious disadvantage, including difficulties in competing with its siblings for survival and possible rejection by its mother.

What does runt mean in slang?

2 : an animal unusually small of its kind especially : the smallest of a litter of pigs. 3 usually disparaging : a person of small stature.

What does being a runt mean?

In a group of animals (usually a litter of animals born in multiple births), a runt is a member which is significantly smaller or weaker than the others.