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by repetition without comprehension or thought
The actor learned his lines by rote, repeating them until he could recite them perfectly.
The actor memorized his lines through repetition without necessarily understanding their meaning.
Many schools used to teach history by rote, requiring students to memorize dates without analysis.
Many schools used to require students to memorize historical dates without encouraging critical thinking.
Often implies a lack of deep understanding or critical engagement with the material.
Instead of memorizing facts without context, try to understand the underlying principles. For example, when learning history, focus on causes and effects rather than just dates.
Rote learning can be useful for foundational knowledge, such as multiplication tables, vocabulary, or basic procedures. However, it should be supplemented with deeper understanding.
From Middle English 'rote' (a fixed course of time), derived from Old French 'rote' (a fixed hour or time), ultimately from Latin 'rota' (wheel, cycle). The phrase 'by rote' originally referred to learning through a fixed, repetitive method, often associated with monastic or scholastic practices.
Commonly used in educational contexts to describe methods that prioritize memorization over comprehension. Often carries a negative connotation, implying that learning is superficial or lacks depth.