rump
C1Neutral to informal (body part); formal (political/organizational remnant).
Definition
Meaning
The hind part of the body of a mammal, especially the buttocks.
A small remaining part or group; the remnant of something, often after the main part has been removed.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily refers to animals, but can be used informally/humorously for humans. The figurative sense is common in political and historical contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In butchery, 'rump steak' is a standard British cut; in the US, similar cuts may be called 'sirloin' or 'round' steak. The word 'rump' itself is used in both varieties.
Connotations
Can be slightly humorous or informal when referring to human anatomy. The figurative use carries a neutral to slightly dismissive tone.
Frequency
Higher frequency in British English due to culinary term 'rump steak'. Figurative use is equally low-frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
of (remnant)N + rump (as in 'rump state')Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Rump Parliament (historical)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Occasionally used to describe a remaining, often less valuable, part of a company after a split or sale.
Academic
Used in political science/history to denote a remnant state or governing body (e.g., a rump regime).
Everyday
Primarily used for the rear end of animals or, informally, humans. Also used for specific meat cuts.
Technical
Standard term in butchery and zoology.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- rump steak
- rump leather
American English
- rump roast
- rump cut
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The horse swished its tail to shoo flies from its rump.
- We bought some rump steak for dinner.
- After the merger, a rump of the old management team was retained.
- The farmer examined the cow's rump for any signs of injury.
- The rump of the committee, lacking a quorum, could not pass the motion.
- Her political career began in the rump of a once-great party.
- The historian analyzed the policies of the rump state that persisted after the empire's collapse.
- Critics dismissed the faction as merely the disgruntled rump of a failed movement.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'trump' card being the last one played; a 'rump' is the last or remaining part.
Conceptual Metaphor
ORGANIZATION/STATE IS A BODY (the rump is the diminished, less functional remnant).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'рампа' (rampa – stage lights/ramp).
- Для мяса: 'rump steak' – это 'стейк из филейной части/кострец', а не 'стейк из крупа' (круп – croup).
- При описании человека: 'rump' звучит слегка юмористически, аналог 'пятая точка', а не нейтральное 'ягодицы'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'rump' for the front of an animal/object.
- Confusing with 'rumpus' (a noisy disturbance).
- Using the figurative sense in inappropriate contexts (e.g., 'the rump of the book' sounds odd).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'rump' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is informal and can be humorous or slightly childish, but may be considered impolite in formal contexts. Terms like 'buttocks' or 'rear' are more neutral.
In British butchery, 'rump' and 'sirloin' are different, often adjacent, cuts from the hindquarter. In the US, the terminology overlaps and varies regionally, causing confusion.
Very rarely. An obscure meaning is 'to turn one's back on', but this is archaic. The word is almost exclusively a noun.
It refers to the English Parliament after Colonel Pride purged it of members hostile to the army in 1648, leaving a 'rump' of about 80 members who later tried King Charles I.
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