Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A frequent repetition of forms of speech without attention to the meaning; mere repetition; as, to learn rules by rote. 2. (n.) A root. 3. (n.) A kind of guitar, the notes of which were produced by a small wheel or wheel-like arrangement; an instrument similar to the hurdy-gurdy. 4. (n.) The noise produced by the surf of the sea dashing upon the shore. See Rut. 5. (v. t.) To learn or repeat by rote. 6. (v. i.) To go out by rotation or succession; to rotate. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ROTE rot: the Revised Version margin gives "learned by rote" in Isaiah 29:13 for the King James Version "taught," which indicates that the service of Yahweh was merely formal.

Multi-Version Concordance Rote (1 Occurrence) Isaiah 29:13 And the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw nigh unto me , and with their mouth and with their lips to honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment of men which hath been taught them ; (See JPS NAS RSV)