ameuter

to rouse a crowd, to stir up

verb ah-muh-TEH Rare

Origin: From Old French 'esmeute' (riot), related to 'meute' (pack of hounds, mob).

Usage Note

Ameuter originally meant to set a pack of hounds (meute) on a quarry, which explains the 'mob' connotation. Today it means to draw a crowd of onlookers or to stir up public agitation: ameuter les voisins (to bring the neighbours running). The reflexive s'ameuter means for a crowd to gather rapidly. It carries a slightly negative or dramatic tone.

Examples

"Le bruit a ameuté tous les voisins."

Natural Translation

The noise drew all the neighbours out.

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