Questions about example sentences with, and the definition and usage of "Rout"

A: I guess YANKS WRECK RAIL BRIDGE IN BURMA is one headline and "CHINESE ROUT JAPS IN HUPEH PROVINCE" is another headline? Yes, rout is the verb. The Chinese soundly defeated the Japanese.

Because of his erection I guess, or possibly friction? It's just a silly limerick so it doesn't make sense.

It refers to the clay vagina, yes. It got so hot that it turned into a brick. Bricks are made by putting pieces of clay in ovens. Again, just a silly limerick.

It was important for the public interest (the well-being of people in the city/town) that they turn off all the lights on the shore, as much as possible. They were worried about bombing raids, I guess.

A:

Rout – This has two common meanings, both of which are more commonly heard outside of North America.

First meaning – to utterly and decisively defeat somebody.
Second meaning – to violently dig into something in order to remove material. Often used when digging weeds out of the side of a footpath, or removing rust from inside the corners of an engine or metal body.

Route – the direction or road or pathway that you are using to get somewhere. Very common in North America.

A: Rout means "to make an army flee". They run away and thereby you win. This is specifically to describe the outcome of a battle between to large forces.

"Vanquish" is just a very strong version of "defeat".

A: this is very natural!! It sounds perfect 👍😄👍

A: A route is a term used physically to mean the roads, tracks, paths etc to get from one place to another. Here it is being used figuratively to mean the steps to take and the support needed to stop being involved in prostitution.