trot
UK: /trɒt/ | US: /trɑːt/
n. a gait of a horse or other quadruped faster than a walk, with diagonal pairs of legs moving together
vi. (of a horse or rider) proceed at a trot
vt. cause (a horse) to move at a trot
n. (informal) a period of brisk activity
The word "trot" originates from Old French trotter, meaning "to go, to run," which likely derived from a Germanic source (compare Old High German trottōn, "to tread"). It entered Middle English in the 14th century, retaining its core sense of a brisk, rhythmic gait. Unlike many words with Latin or Greek roots, "trot" is a compact Germanic-derived term, evolving without significant morphological splitting. Its onomatopoeic quality mirrors the sound of hooves hitting the ground in steady succession.
The horse broke into a steady trot along the trail.
She trotted her pony around the arena to warm up.
After lunch, we’ll have a quick trot through the paperwork.
The dog trotted happily beside its owner.
He kept his horse at a trot to cover the distance efficiently.