ROUT (5)

Rout, n. [[OF. route, LL. rupta, properly, a breaking, fr. L. ruptus, p. p. of rumpere to break. See Rupture, reave, and cf. Rote repetition of forms, Route. In some senses this word has been confused with rout a bellowing, an uproar.]] [Formerly spelled also route.] 1. 1. A troop; a throng; a company; an assembly; especially, a traveling company or throng. “A route of ratones .” Piers Plowman. “A great solemn route.” Chaucer.
And ever he rode the hinderest of the route. Chaucer. A rout of people there assembled were. Spenser. 2. 2. A disorderly and tumultuous crowd; a mob; hence, the rabble; the herd of common people.
the endless routs of wretched thralls. Spenser. The ringleader and head of all this rout. Shak. Nor do I name of men the common rout. Milton. 3. 3. The state of being disorganized and thrown into confusion; — said especially of an army defeated, broken in pieces, and put to flight in disorder or panic; also, the act of defeating and breaking up an army; as, the rout of the enemy was complete.
thy army . . . Dispersed in rout, betook them all to fly. Daniel. To these giad conquest, murderous rout to those. pope. 4. 4. (Law) A disturbance of the peace by persons assembled together with intent to do a thing which, if executed, would make them rioters, and actually making a motion toward the executing thereof. Wharton.
5. 5. A fashionable assembly, or large evening party. “At routs and dances.” Landor.
To put to rout, to defeat and throw into confusion; to overthrow and put to flight.