Home US English rantipole

Definition of rantipole in English:

rantipole

Pronunciation /ˈrantɪpəʊl/

adjective

archaic, literary

  • 1Of a person: that is or behaves like a rantipole.

  • 2Characteristic of or befitting a rantipole; wild, disorderly, rakish, boisterous.

noun

  • 1archaic, literary A wild, ill-behaved, boisterous, or disorderly man or woman; a roisterer, a rogue; a rake; a minx.

  • 2British archaic, literary, dialect A see-saw; (occasionally in plural) the game of swinging on a see-saw.

Origin

Mid 17th century; earliest use found in Mercurius Democritus. Origin uncertain; perhaps a fanciful formation from rant + poll.