See Also: flout(dictionary)
flout(dictionary)

flout (iou)



flout verb & noun. M16.
[Perh. from Dutch fluiten whistle, play the flute, hiss (uitfluiten); cf. synon. German colloq. pfeifen auf pipe at.]
A. verb trans. & intrans. Treat or behave with disdain; mock, jeer; express contempt (for) by action or speech. Now usu. denoting indirect expression: openly disregard (a law, an opinion, etc.). M16.
flouting-stock (a) an object of mockery; (b) = FLOUT noun.
Browning Ah, you may flout and turn up your faces. G. Saintsbury Locke..had expressly flouted (or rather..denounced) poetry as idle and pernicious. R. Macaulay Those who live loosely and flout the laws. M. Frayn If one is flouting the generally accepted rules of behaviour one must exercise discretion.
b. noun. A mocking speech or action. L16.
flouter noun L16.
floutingly adverb L16.