əut n. 1 a a
cereal plant, Avena sativa, cultivated in
cool climates. b (in pl.)
the grain yielded by
this, used as
food. 2
any other cereal of the
genus Avena,
esp. the
wild oat, A. fatua. 3
poet. the oat-stem used as a
musical pipe by shepherds
etc., usu. in
pastoral or
bucolic poetry. 4 (in pl.) sl.
sexual gratification. øfeel one's oats colloq. 1 be
lively. 2 US
feel self-important. oat-grass any of
various grasses, esp. of the genus Arrhenatherum.
off one's oats colloq.
not hungry. sow one's oats (or wild oats)
indulge in
youthful excess or promiscuity. øøoaten adj. [OE
ate, pl. atan, of unkn. orig.]