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.
Phrases and idioms:
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.
Derivatives:
rioter n. riotless adj.
Etymology: ME f. OF riote, rioter, rihoter, of unkn. orig.