Runt
Runt , noun
[Scot. runt an old cow, an old, withered woman, a hardened stem or stalk, the trunk of a tree; compare Dutch rund a bullock, an ox or cow, German rind. Compare Rother, a.]
1.
(Zoology) Any animal which is unusually small, as compared with others of its kind; -- applied particularly to domestic animals.
2.
(Zoology) A variety of domestic pigeon, related to the barb and carrier.
3.
A dwarf; also, a mean, despicable, boorish person; -- used opprobriously.
Before I buy a bargain of such runts,
I'll buy a college for bears, and live among 'em.
4.
The dead stump of a tree; also, the stem of a plant. [Obsolete or Provincial English] — Halliwell
Neither young poles nor old runts are durable.