stampede

Etymology

From Spanish estampida (“a stampede”) (in America), estampido (“a crackling”), akin to estampar (“to stamp”).

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /stæmˈpiːd/
• Rhymes: -iːd

• Audio (US)

  (file)

A stampede of horses.

Noun

stampede (plural stampedes)

1. A wild, headlong scamper, or running away, of a number of animals; usually caused by fright; hence, any sudden flight or dispersion, as of a crowd or an army in consequence of a panic.
   • (Can we date this quote?) W. Black

     She and her husband would join in the general stampede.

2. A situation in which many people in a crowd are trying to go in the same direction at the same time.

   The annual Muslim Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, which is attended by millions of pilgrims, has increasingly suffered from stampedes.

3. (figuratively) Any sudden unconcerted moving or acting together of a number of persons, as from some common impulse.

   a stampede toward US bonds in the credit markets

Verb

stampede (third-person singular simple present stampedes, present participle stampeding, simple past and past participle stampeded)

1. (intransitive) To run away in a panic; said of cattle, horses, etc., also of armies.
2. (transitive) To disperse by causing sudden fright, as a herd or drove of animals.
   • 1912, Zane Grey, Riders of the Purple Sage, Chapter 3

     "Cattle are usually quiet after dark. Still I've known even a coyote to stampede your white herd."

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