The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Runt \Runt\, n. [Written also rant.] [Scot. runt an old cow,
   an old, withered woman, a hardened stem or stalk, the trunk
   of a tree; cf. D. rund a bullock, an ox or cow, G. rind. Cf.
   Rother, a.]
   1. (Zool.) Any animal which is unusually small, as compared
      with others of its kind; -- applied particularly to
      domestic animals.
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   2. (Zool.) A variety of domestic pigeon, related to the barb
      and carrier.
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   3. A dwarf; also, a mean, despicable, boorish person; -- used
      opprobriously.
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            Before I buy a bargain of such runts,
            I'll buy a college for bears, and live among 'em.
                                                  --Beau. & Fl.
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   4. The dead stump of a tree; also, the stem of a plant. [Obs.
      or Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
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            Neither young poles nor old runts are durable.
                                                  --Holland.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Rant \Rant\ (r[a^]nt), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Ranted; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Ranting.] [OD. ranten, randen, to dote, to be
   enraged.]
   To rave in violent, high-sounding, or extravagant language,
   without dignity of thought; to be noisy, boisterous, and
   bombastic in talk or declamation; as, a ranting preacher.
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         Look where my ranting host of the Garter comes! --Shak.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Rant \Rant\, n.
   High-sounding language, without importance or dignity of
   thought; boisterous, empty declamation; bombast; as, the rant
   of fanatics.
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         This is a stoical rant, without any foundation in the
         nature of man or reason of things.       --Atterbury.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

rant
    n 1: a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion
         [syn: harangue, rant, ranting]
    2: pompous or pretentious talk or writing [syn: bombast,
       fustian, rant, claptrap, blah]
    v 1: talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner [syn:
         rant, mouth off, jabber, spout, rabbit on,
         rave]