n. & v.
n. 1 a a disturbance of the peace by a crowd; an occurrence of public disorder. b (attrib.) involved in suppressing riots (riot police; riot shield). 2 uncontrolled revelry; noisy behaviour. 3 (foll. by of) a lavish display or enjoyment (a riot of emotion; a riot of colour and sound). 4 colloq. a very amusing thing or person.
v.intr. 1 make or engage in a riot. 2 live wantonly; revel. read the Riot Act put a firm stop to insubordination etc.; give a severe warning (from the name of a former act partly read out to disperse rioters). run riot 1 throw off all restraint. 2 (of plants) grow or spread uncontrolled. rioter n. riotless adj.
[ ME f. OF riote, rioter, rihoter, of unkn. orig. ]