- stam|pede
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–n.1. a sudden scattering, confused rush, or headlong flight of a frightened herd, as of cattle or horses: »
The cowboys could not control the stampede.
2. Figurative. any headlong flight of a large group: »the panic-stricken stampede of the audience from a burning theater.
3. Figurative. a general rush: »a stampede to newly discovered gold fields. Steel demand is assuming the proportions of a mild stampede (Wall Street Journal).
4. U.S. a sudden, apparently unconcerted rush of the delegates at a political convention to support a particular candidate.5. a rodeo; rodeolike entertainment: »How did you like the Calgary Stampede? (Maclean's).
–v.i.1. to scatter or flee in a stampede: »Cattle sometimes stampede in a thunderstorm.
2. Figurative. to make a general rush.–v.t.to cause to stampede: »Thunder stampeded the cattle. Figurative. We should not allow ourselves to be stampeded by undue fears into exaggerated positions (Atlantic).
╂[American English < Mexican Spanish estampida (in Spanish, an uproar) < Spanish estampar to stamp, press, ultimately < a Germanic word. Compare etym. under stamp. (Cf. ↑stamp)]–stam|ped´er, noun.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.
