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ruer

to kick (of an animal)

verb ryoo-EH Rare
Animals & Nature Wild Animals

Origin: from Old French 'ruer', from Latin 'ruere' (to rush, to fall)

Also means

to rush headlong (se ruer)

Usage Note

Ruer in its basic sense describes a horse or mule kicking with its hind legs. The reflexive se ruer is far more common and means to rush or hurl oneself at something — se ruer sur la nourriture means to pounce on the food. The phrase ruer dans les brancards ('to kick against the shafts') is an idiom meaning to rebel or kick back against authority.

Examples

"Le cheval rua violemment contre la barrière."

Natural Translation

The horse kicked violently against the fence.

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