runagate

noun

"runagate" is a 8-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“runagate” is uncommon English (outside the top frequency list), classed as a noun. The kind of spelling people second-guess.

Unranked
below top-frequency English
8
letters

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed September 3, 2026) - A deserter, renegade or apostate.

Corpus desk

Index EN-runagate · runagate · English

runagate · unranked · 0 variants · 0 confusables

  • FREQ-UNRANKED Unranked
  • LEN-LONG 8 letters
  • VOW-4 4 vowels
  • CONFUS-0 No pairs
  • VAR-0 0 variants
  • BOOK-THIN "R" thin
  • PHOTO-UNK Peer pending

Read with this headword: Spelling guide for this pattern

Desk codes from Wiktionary headword shape, FrequencyWords rank tier, confusable-pair count, generated misspelling depth, letter-cohort book size, and photo-finish peer. Not a difficulty grade.

Key facts for runagate
PropertyValue
Headwordrunagate
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
Letters8
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Long-tail rank of “runagate” in English

runagatefalls outside the top-100,000 ranked English words, the long-tail zone of technical, archaic, or low-frequency vocabulary, exactly where readers second-guess spellings most.

Beyond rank #100,000. Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Rare enough to double-check

runagate is uncommon English outside the top frequency list, classed as anoun. Rarity is why readers land here mid-draft. 2 senses are on record.

We couldn't generate a plausible misspelling set for runagate, suggesting the orthography follows predictable English patterns. We don't track a confusable pairing for this entry, which typically means the spelling is too distinctive to be mistaken for another word.

Etymologically, the entry records: Corruption of renegade, influenced by run + agate (“on the way, agoing”). The correct English form is runagate, spelled R-U-N-A-G-A-T-E.

Definition

  1. 1
    A deserter, renegade or apostate.
  2. 2
    A fugitive; a runaway.

Recorded use

Wiktionary examples

These source excerpts show how runagate appears in context. They illustrate usage; the definition above remains the entry’s reference meaning.

  1. And being in this doubt the Runagate came to us, asking upon what we ſtaid, for it was now high time to be going away, and all, his Moors were careleſs, and the greater number of them aſleep.
  2. 1850, John Johnson (translator), A Collection of the Laws and Canons of the Church of England, Volume 1, New Edition, page 165, Whatever brother, contrary to the prohibition of the venerable canons, receives a runagate clerk or monk, without pacific letters, and when convened obstinately persists in it, let him pay what is appointed, viz., thirty sicles;…

Etymology

Corruption of renegade, influenced by run + agate (“on the way, agoing”).

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "runagate"?
"runagate" is spelled R-U-N-A-G-A-T-E.
What does "runagate" mean?
As a noun, "runagate" means: A deserter, renegade or apostate.
What is the origin of the word "runagate"?
Corruption of renegade, influenced by run + agate (“on the way, agoing”). See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list