violent public disorder; specif a disturbance of the peace by three or more people
a profuse and random display
a riot of colour
informal somebody or something wildly funny
archaic unrestrained revelry or boisterous behaviour
archaic lascivious behaviour
read the riot act
to give somebody a severe warning or reprimand
[from the Riot Act passed under George I in 1715 at the time of the Jacobite riots. It prescribed that a group of twelve or more people assembled for an unlawful purpose could be arrested if they refused to disperse.]run riot
to act or function wildly or without restraint
to grow or occur in profusion
[Middle English from Old French riot dispute, from rioter to argue]