flout

Perhaps from Middle English flouten (“to play the flute”); compare with Dutch fluiten.

• IPA^(key): /flaʊt/

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• (Canada) IPA^(key): /flʌʊt/
• Rhymes: -aʊt

flout (third-person singular simple present flouts, present participle flouting, simple past and past participle flouted)

1. (transitive) To express contempt for (laws, rules, etc.) by word or action.
   • 2012, The Economist, Sep 29th 2012 issue, Tax alchemy: Tech's avoidance

     The manoeuvres of Microsoft and HP appear to comply with the letter of the regulations, even if they flout their spirit.

2. (transitive, archaic) To scorn.
   • 1653, Iz[aak] Wa[lton], The Compleat Angler or The Contemplative Man’s Recreation. Being a Discourse of Fish and Fishing, […], London: […] T. Maxey for Rich[ard] Marriot, […], OCLC 1097101645; reprinted as The Compleat Angler (Homo Ludens; 6), Nieuwkoop, South Holland, Netherlands: Miland Publishers, 1969, →ISBN:

     Yet all ' s not worth a pin, But could not get her; Phillida flouts me. Dick had her to the Vine

   • 1812–1818, Lord Byron, “Canto 1”, in Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage. , London: John Murray,, stanza 41:

     Three gaudy standards flout the pale blue sky.

• Not to be confused with flaunt.

flout (plural flouts)

1. The act by which something is flouted; violation of a law.
   • 2012, John Flowerdew, Discourse in English Language Education (page 97)

     A flout is when someone deliberately and ostentatiously contravenes a maxim.

2. A mockery or insult.

flout

1. strong/weak nominative/accusative neuter singular of flou