boltn.1
/bəʊlt/, U.S. /boʊlt/ I. A projectile.
1. † b. Phrase. to make a shaft or a bolt of it: to risk making something or other out of it; to accept the issue whatever it may be, to run the risk, make the venture. (Cf. to make a spoon or spoil a horn at spoon n. 3d.) Obsolete.
a. An arrow; especially one of the stouter and shorter kind with blunt or thickened head, called also quarrel, discharged from a crossbow or other engine. Often figurative, esp. in the proverbial phrase a fool's bolt is soon shot, so common from the 13th to 18th centuries. †at first bolt: at the first go off.
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society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > missile > arrow > [noun]
streale?680
floc893
arrowOE
pileOE
bolta1000
flanea1000
archer1297
shaftc1400
grey-goose wing1566
dorlach1575
goose-wing1630
shaftment1634
fate1700
timberc1879
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > missile > crossbow bolt > [noun]
bolta1000
quarrela1250
arbalestrec1300
vire1390
matrassc1450
viretonc1500
matrass1591
quarry1600
cross-arrow1619
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adverb]
soonc825
ratheeOE
rathelyeOE
rekeneOE
rekenlyOE
thereright971
anonOE
forth ona1000
coflyc1000
ferlyc1000
radlyOE
swiftlyc1000
unyoreOE
yareOE
at the forme (also first) wordOE
nowOE
shortlya1050
rightOE
here-rightlOE
right anonlOE
anonc1175
forthrightc1175
forthwithalc1175
skeetc1175
swithc1175
with and withc1175
anon-rightc1225
anon-rights?c1225
belivec1225
lightly?c1225
quickly?c1225
tidelyc1225
fastlyc1275
hastilyc1275
i-radlichec1275
as soon asc1290
aright1297
bedenea1300
in little wevea1300
withoute(n dwella1300
alrightc1300
as fast (as)c1300
at firstc1300
in placec1300
in the placec1300
mididonec1300
outrightc1300
prestc1300
streck13..
titec1300
without delayc1300
that stounds1303
rada1325
readya1325
apacec1325
albedenec1330
as (also also) titec1330
as blivec1330
as line rightc1330
as straight as linec1330
in anec1330
in presentc1330
newlyc1330
suddenlyc1330
titelyc1330
yernec1330
as soon1340
prestly1340
streckly1340
swithly?1370
evenlya1375
redelya1375
redlya1375
rifelya1375
yeplya1375
at one blastc1380
fresha1382
ripelyc1384
presentc1385
presently1385
without arrestc1385
readilyc1390
in the twinkling of a looka1393
derflya1400
forwhya1400
skeetlya1400
straighta1400
swifta1400
maintenantc1400
out of handc1400
wightc1400
at a startc1405
immediately1420
incontinent1425
there and then1428
onenec1429
forwithc1430
downright?a1439
agatec1440
at a tricec1440
right forth1440
withouten wonec1440
whipc1460
forthwith1461
undelayed1470
incessantly1472
at a momentc1475
right nowc1475
synec1475
incontinently1484
promptly1490
in the nonce?a1500
uncontinent1506
on (upon, in) the instant1509
in short1513
at a clap1519
by and by1526
straightway1526
at a twitch1528
at the first chop1528
maintenantly1528
on a tricea1529
with a tricec1530
at once1531
belively1532
straightwaysa1533
short days1533
undelayedly1534
fro hand1535
indelayedly1535
straight forth1536
betimesc1540
livelyc1540
upononc1540
suddenly1544
at one (or a) dash?1550
at (the) first dash?1550
instantly1552
forth of hand1564
upon the nines1568
on the nail1569
at (also in, with) a thoughtc1572
indilately1572
summarily1578
at one (a) chop1581
amain1587
straightwise1588
extempore1593
presto1598
upon the place1600
directly1604
instant1604
just now1606
with a siserary1607
promiscuously1609
at (in) one (an) instant1611
on (also upon) the momenta1616
at (formerly also on or upon) sight1617
hand to fist1634
fastisha1650
nextly1657
to rights1663
straightaway1663
slap1672
at first bolt1676
point-blank1679
in point1680
offhand1686
instanter1688
sonica1688
flush1701
like a thought1720
in a crack1725
momentary1725
bumbye1727
clacka1734
plumba1734
right away1734
momentarily1739
momentaneously1753
in a snap1768
right off1771
straight an end1778
abruptedly1784
in a whistle1784
slap-bang1785
bang?1795
right off the reel1798
in a whiff1800
in a flash1801
like a shot1809
momently1812
in a brace or couple of shakes1816
in a gird1825
(all) in a rush1829
in (also at, on) short (also quick) order1830
straightly1830
toot sweetc1830
in two twos1838
rectly1843
quick-stick1844
short metre1848
right1849
at the drop of a (occasionally the) hat1854
off the hooks1860
quicksticks1860
straight off1873
bang off1886
away1887
in quick sticks (also in a quick stick)1890
ek dum1895
tout de suite1895
bung1899
one time1899
prompt1910
yesterday1911
in two ups1934
presto changeo1946
now-now1966
presto change1987
a1000 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 508, 372 Catapultas, speru, boltas.
a1225 Leg. Kath. 54 Ȝoure bolt is sone ischote.
a1275 Prov. Alfred 421 in Old Eng. Misc. 129 Sottis bold is sone i-scoten.
a1400 Cov. Myst. 136 He that shett the bolt is lyke to be schent.
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Miller's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 78 Loong as a Mast and vp righte as a bolt.
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) xxiv. 529 But he made to be cast boltes of wilde fyre in to the galley of the admyrall.
?a1500 Nominale (Yale Beinecke 594) in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 812 Hec sagitta, a harrow; hoc petulium, a bolt.
1546 J. Heywood Dialogue Prouerbes Eng. Tongue ii. ix. sig. Kiv Than wolde ye mende, as the fletcher mends his bolt.
1612 W. Fennor Cornu-copiæ 11 The grosser foole, the sooner shoots his bolt.
1676 A. Marvell Mr. Smirke sig. B3v At first bolt..he denounces sentence before inquiry.
1748 T. Smollett Roderick Random II. liii. 185 ‘Zounds! I have done,’ (said he). ‘Your bolt is soon shot, according to the proverb,’ (said she).
1819 W. Scott Ivanhoe II. xiii. 250 Look that the cross-bowmen lack not bolts.
1869 C. Boutell tr. J. P. Lacombe Arms & Armour viii. 129 The cross-bow-men had to open the discharge of their bolts while their bow-strings were still wet from a heavy shower.
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the world > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > chance [verb (intransitive)] > run a risk or take one's chance
to take one's chancec1325
to take penancec1400
to throw at allc1400
to buy a pig (in Scotl. a cat) in a poke1546
to throw the helve after the hatchet1546
to set (up) one's rest1579
to give the adventure1607
to make a shaft or a bolt of ita1616
to run a fortune1627
to run for luck1799
to go the vole1816
chance1863
to chance one's arm1889
to take a chance or chances1902
gamble1919
a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) iii. iv. 24 Ile make a shaft or a bolt on't, slid, tis but venturing. View more context for this quotation
1679 tr. Trag. Hist. Jetzer 17 Without any regard to the Displeasure..of God [they] resolv'd to make a shaft or a bolt of it.
1687 R. L'Estrange Answer to Let. to Dissenter 46 One might have made a Bolt or a Shaft on't.
2.
a. A discharge of lightning, a thunderbolt.
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the world > matter > light > naturally occurring light > [noun] > lightning > bead or forked lightning > flash of
laitc900
slaughta1300
levinc1300
fire-slaughta1400
flaughta1400
thunderboltc1440
fudder1513
fire-flaughta1522
flag of firea1522
bolt1535
strokea1542
lightning bolta1560
lightning1560
fire-bolt?1562
fulgur1563
fulmen1563
thunder-thump1563
light-bolt1582
fire-flash1586
blaze1590
flake1590
clap1591
blastc1665
glade1744
streak1781
thunder-ball1820
leader stroke1934
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > bad weather > thunder and lightning > [noun] > lightning > stroke of > thunderbolt
fudderc1429
thunderboltc1440
bolt1535
fire-bolt?1562
fulmen1563
light-bolt1582
thunder-ball1820
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms lxxvii[i]. 48 How he smote their..flockes with hote thonder boltes.
1586 M. Roydon Elegie on Astrophel 178.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vi. 491 That they shall fear we have disarmd The Thunderer of his only dreaded bolt . View more context for this quotation
1791 W. Cowper tr. Homer Odyssey in Iliad & Odyssey II. xiv. 370 Then, thund'ring oft, he hurl'd into the bark His bolts.
1802 T. Campbell Hohenlinden And louder than the bolts of heaven Far flashed the red artillery.
1859 Ld. Tennyson Vivien in Idylls of King 142 Scarce had she ceased, when out of heaven a bolt..struck Furrowing a giant oak.
b. figurative. So in bolt from the blue: see blue adj. and n. Phrases 5a.
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the world > action or operation > adversity > calamity or misfortune > [noun] > misfortune or ill-luck > instance of misfortune or ill-luck > severe or sudden > a stroke (of misfortune, etc.)
clapc1330
buffetc1400
flaw1513
wipe?1545
bolt1577
blow1608
attaint1655
bludgeoning1888
1577 H. I. tr. H. Bullinger 50 Godlie Serm. II. iv. To King sig. Bbb.viijv The hoat boltes of that thunder, euen sentences definitiue of excommunication.
1803 J. Porter Thaddeus of Warsaw (1831) viii. 70 The undistinguishing bolt of carnage.
1884 Ld. Tennyson Becket Prol. 10 That so the Papal bolt may pass by England.
3. An elongated bullet for a rifled cannon.
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society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > missile > ammunition for firearms > [noun] > bullet or ball > cannonball
stone of iron1511
bullet1557
bombard1575
round shot1576
cannonball1606
pill1618
shot1622
bumbass1663
round1707
thunder-stone1822
bolt1871
nigger baby1872
1871 J. Tyndall Fragm. Sci. i. 17 In artillery practice the heat generated is usually concentrated upon the front of the bolt.
4. A cylindrical jet.
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the world > matter > liquid > liquid flow > action or process of squirting or issuing in a jet > [noun] > a jet > cylindrical
bolt1842
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > [noun] > sudden or violent > in a jet > a jet > cylindrical
bolt1842
1842 H. Miller Old Red Sandstone (ed. 2) x. 216 A bolt of water..came rushing after like the jet of a fountain.
1884 Public Opinion 11 July 47/1 The blowers skilfully gather the molten bolts of glass from the pots and blow huge cylinders.
II. A stout pin for fastening.† 6. An iron for fastening the leg, a fetter. Obsolete.
5. (a) An appliance for fastening a door, consisting of a cylindrical (or otherwise-shaped) piece of iron, etc., moving longitudinally through staples or guides on the door, so that its end can be shot or pushed into a socket in the doorpost or lintel. (b) That part of a lock which springs out and enters the staple or ‘keeper’ made for its reception.
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society > occupation and work > equipment > building and constructing equipment > fastenings > [noun] > lock > part of lock > bolt
bolt1463
slot1890
1463 in Manners & Househ. Expenses Eng. (1841) 155 To bye lokkys and boltys ffor my lorddys schambre.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 10463 Þai..Barrit hom full bigly with boltes of yerne.
1570 P. Levens Manipulus Vocabulorum sig. Si/1 Ye Boult of a doore, pessulus.
1643 J. Milton Doctr. Divorce 43 Forc't vertu is as a bolt overshot, it goes neither forward nor backward.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. vii. §8 In a Lock—The Bolt or Shoot..The Staples, those as holds the Bolt to the Plate.
1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. Bolt of a lock is the piece of iron which entering the staple, fastens the door.
1815 W. Scott Lord of Isles v. iii. 176 How came it here through bolt and bar?
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society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restraint depriving of liberty > binding or fettering > [noun] > bond(s) or fetter(s) or shackle(s) > for the feet or legs
copsa700
fetterc800
gyvec1275
bolt1483
boysc1485
hose-ring?1515
hopshacklea1568
gin?1587
leg ring1606
hamper1613
shacklock1613
wife1616
pedicle1628
leg iron1779
wife1811
leg lock1815
ankle ring1823
anklet1835
hopple1888
Oregon boot1892
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 192/1 Delyuerd of theyr irons, as guyues, boltes, and other.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 199/2 Bolte or shacle, entraue.
1591 R. Greene Second Pt. Conny-catching sig. F4 Clap a strong pair of bolts on his heeles.
a1593 C. Marlowe Edward II (1594) sig. B He shall to prison, and there die in boults.
1649 Bp. J. Taylor Great Exemplar i. iv. 128 Some wore iron upon their skin and bolts upon their legs.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. vii. §86 Prison-shackles or Prisoners Bolts; they are Irons fastned about the Legs of Prisoners.
7.
a. A stout metal pin with a head, used for holding things fast together. It may be permanently fixed, secured by riveting or by a nut, as the bolts of a ship; or movable, passing through a hole, as the bolts of a shutter.The bolts in ships, gun-carriages, etc. have various names according to their nature, purpose, or position, as clinch-bolts, ring-bolts, set-bolts; bed-bolts, eye-bolts, etc. See clinch n.1, ring n.1, etc.
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society > occupation and work > equipment > building and constructing equipment > fastenings > [noun] > bolt
bolt1626
dag1727
machine bolta1884
1626 J. Smith Accidence Young Sea-men 10 Bindings, knees, boults, trunions.
1627 J. Smith Sea Gram. ii. 5 Set bolts for forcing the workes and plankes together.
1672 Compl. Gunner vi. 7 For fear any Bolts should give way or draw.
1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine at Cannon Breeching-bolts, with rings, through which the breechings pass.
1792 Gentleman's Mag. Apr. 344 A machine for driving bolts..into ships.
1794 W. Felton Treat. Carriages I. 120 The common bolt, which receives a screwed nut at the bottom.
1851 A. H. Layard Pop. Acct. Discov. Nineveh xiii. 344 Holes for bolts exist in many of the slabs.
b. A sliding metal rod in the breech mechanism of a rifle which opens and closes the bore and positions the cartridge.
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society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > device for discharging missiles > firearm > parts and fittings of firearms > [noun] > breech > bolt
rifle bolt1849
bolt1859
1859 ‘Stonehenge’ Shot-gun iv. iii. 259 The barrel-maker has to braze on with great care two lumps of iron to the lower sides of the barrels, one of which..forms about three-fifths of the socket in which the circular bolt fixed in the stock revolves. In order to understand the exact form of the bolt, a gun on this principle must be examined, and moreover as scarcely any two makers adopt the same shape, the description of one would not suffice for all.
1881 W. W. Greener Gun & its Devel. 129 The piece is cocked by the thumb, as is the needle-gun; the bolt is then turned one-quarter of a circle to the left, and drawn back: the cartridge is put in and pushed home by the bolt; this bolt is turned back one-quarter of a circle to the right; the piece is then ready for firing.
1930 G. Burrard In Gunroom 122 It is extremely difficult to insert an incorrectly assembled bolt into the action, and this can only be done by a combination of undue force and careful manipulation.
19691 [see bolt action n. at Compounds 3]. III. Transferred uses.
8. A roll of woven fabric: generally of a definite length; being, in various cases, 30 yards, 28 ells, or 40 feet.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > textile fabric > [noun] > roll
bolt1407
gib1526
round1661
ringe1726
block1905
1407 Codicil to Will of Nicholas Wollebergh (P.R.O.: PROB. 11/2) f. 114v Lego Isabelle Wollebergh..iiij boltes de Worstede.
1591 R. Greene Second Pt. Conny-catching sig. E2 A boulte of Satten, Veluet or any such commoditie.
a1600 Custom Duties, Add. MS. 25097 Poldavies, the bolte, containing xxx yards, xxs.
1638 T. Verney in Verney Papers 20 May 197 Fouer bolts of canvas to send cotton home in.
1721 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. Bolt of Canvas, a piece containing 28 ells.
1836 M. Scott Cruise of Midge i. 16 Stiff and upright, like a bolt of canvass on end.
c1860 H. Stuart Novices or Young Seaman's Catech. (rev. ed.) 52 Canvas is made in lengths of 40 feet, called bolts.
1887 N.E.D. at Bolt Mod. Sc. How many bowts of tape?
9. A bundle (of osiers, etc.) of a certain size; a bundle of reeds, 3 ft. in circumference.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being gathered together > an assemblage or collection > [noun] > bundle > of straw, reeds, etc. > of specific size
bolt1725
1725 R. Bradley Chomel's Dictionaire Œconomique at Ozier Such as are for white work being made up into Bolts as they call them.
1863 J. C. Morton Cycl. Agric. (new ed.) II. (Gloss.) 721/1 Bolt, or Boult, of oziers. (Berks.), a bundle, measuring 42 inches round, 14 inches from the butts. (Ess.), a bundle, of which 80 make a load. (Hants.), 42 inches round at the lower band.
1879 Standard 17 Apr. To Rod Dealers, Basket Makers..25 scores bolts of fine, well-grown, clean, Green Willow Rods.
10.
a. Wood in special size for cleaving into laths.
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society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > wood > wood in specific form > [noun] > piece for making into laths
splinting1527
bolt1688
stave1823
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. iii. §50 Boults, the sawed piecces into lengths, out of which Laths or Latts are cloven.
1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. Bolts in carpentry denote pieces of wood cleft with wedges in order to be split into laths.
b. A block of wood from which smaller pieces are cut or split. U.S.
ΚΠ
1639 Portsmouth Rec. 10 A shipp load of..pipe stauffes & clabboard boults.
1646 Braintree Rec. 4 In case any shall make sale of it [sc. timber]..either in boards or bolts.
1682 Plymouth Rec. 172 Making of shingles or bolts.
1853 Trans. Mich. Agric. Soc. 4 156 This machine cuts, dresses, and joints a stave,..feeding itself from a bolt of wood.
11. (See quots.)
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the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > sanitation > provision of sewers > [noun] > sewer > drain for carrying off waste-water
waste-drain1833
bolt1855
society > travel > means of travel > route or way > way, path, or track > lane > [noun] > between buildings
twitchenOE
chare12..
shut1300
alley1360
entryc1405
wyndc1425
vennel1435
trance1545
row1599
ginnel1669
ruelle1679
gangway1785
pend close1819
ope1825
jitty1836
scutchell1847
gully1849
bolt1855
opeway1881
snicket1898
jigger1902
jowler1961
1855 F. K. Robinson Gloss. Yorks. Words 18 Bolts, narrow passages, or archways between houses.
1880 M. A. Courtney W. Cornwall Words in M. A. Courtney & T. Q. Couch Gloss. Words Cornwall 5/2 Bolt, a stone-built drain.
1884 Local Govt. Chron. 8 Mar. 191 A Local Board found it necessary, for the purpose of taking away the waste water, etc. of a village, to construct a covered bolt across a garden..The house..stands immediately over this bolt.
12. Bookbinding. The fold at the top and front edge of a folded sheet.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > book > leaves or pages of book > [noun] > leaf > parts of leaf
bolt1875
butt1921
1875 R. Hunt & F. W. Rudler Ure's Dict. Arts (ed. 7) I. 423 Those leaves which present a double or quadruple fold, technically termed ‘the bolt’.
13. An obsolete or local name for some plants.
Categories »
a. The Globe-flower, Trollius (Gerard Appendix 1597), and Marsh Marigold.
Categories »
b. Species of Buttercup (Parkinson Theatr. Bot. 1640).
Compounds
C1. attributive quasi-adj. Bolt-like, bolt-shaped.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > curvature > curved three-dimensional shape or body > cylinder > [adjective] > of other cylindrical shapes
caked1686
tuberose1704
cucumiform1826
sausage-like1852
bolt1859
cigar-shaped1887
torpedo-shaped1903
sausagey1921
whale-shaped1930
Zeppelinistic1930
top hat1958
1859 J. E. Tennent Ceylon II. viii. v. 368 The smallest had a little bolt head covered with woolly brown hair.
C2.
a. Combinations, as bolt-auger, bolt-extractor, bolt-header, bolt-maker, bolt-making, etc.
bolt-bearer n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > deity > [noun] > of specific things > of (types of) weather
zephyrOE
wind-god1594
rain god1838
thunder god1841
rain-goddess1854
storm-goddess1869
storm power1869
storm-god1877
bolt-bearer1883
weather-god1905
1883 Harper's Mag. Feb. 440/1 The bolt-bearer of the gods.
b. bolt-like, bolt-shaped adjs.
C3. Also bolt-head n., bolt-rope n.† bolt-bag n. Obsolete a quiver for bolts. † bolt-boat n. Obsolete old term for a boat which makes good weather in a rough sea (Smyth Sailor's Word-bk.). † bolt-glass n. Obsolete ? = bolt-head n. 2.† bolt's-shoot n. Obsolete the distance to which a bolt can be shot (cf. stone's throw n., bowshot n.).
bolt action n. (see quot. 19691); also (with hyphen) attributive; also elliptical = a bolt-action gun.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > device for discharging missiles > firearm > small-arm > [noun] > other small arms
long gun1530
currier1558
crabut1626
long arm1675
bullet-guna1701
hand cannon1752
wall-gun1812
walking-stick gun1823
shoulder gun1824
safety gun1825
gas gun1856
self-cocker1857
bolt action1871
snap action gun1875
saddle gun1886
multibarrel1899
dane gun1900
clip-loader1901
pump-action1923
sleeve gun1944
laser gun1961
phaser1966
magnum1970
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > device for discharging missiles > firearm > parts and fittings of firearms > [noun] > breech > bolt > bolt action
bolt action1871
Mauser action1909
1871 W. W. Greener Mod. Breech-loaders 52 In all cases where they exploded caps with ‘bolt’ actions, the mark of the striker was found upon the cap.
1896 W. W. Greener Gun & its Devel. (ed. 6) xxx. 702 (heading) Bolt-action systems.
1958 R. Arnold Automatic & Repeating Shotguns ii. 46 In the United States the bolt-action has given excellent results at both Down-the-line and Skeet.
1969 D. C. Forbes Sporting Gun 137 Bolt action, refers to a gun with a breech which is opened by a bolt being turned and slid back. The cartridge is laid in front of the bolt and the bolt slid forward to push the cartridge into the breech.
1969 New Yorker 29 Nov. 150/2 He was carrying a First World War Czech bolt-action rifle.
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society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > missile > arrow > [noun] > quiver
cockereOE
quiver1322
arrow casea1382
tarcays1490
bolt-bag1562
quiver case1568
dorlach1575
1562 T. Phaer tr. Virgil Æneid ix. C c iij Ratling noyse of boltbag fine.
bolt-chisel n. a cold chisel for cutting bolts.
bolt-cutter n. one who cuts bolts; a machine for cutting bolts, or threads on bolts.
ΚΠ
1879 Rep. Paris Universal Exhib. 1878 243 A bolt cutter and nut tapping machine.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > chemistry > equipment or apparatus > [noun] > distillation apparatus
bodya1400
descensoryc1405
circulatory1559
receiver1576
bolt-glass1594
adopter1741
Woulfe's apparatus1800
alcogene1828
fractionating column1908
1594 H. Plat Diuers Chimicall Concl. Distillation 44 in Jewell House Pour that which you haue..into a bolt glasse, hauing a long steale.
bolt-hole n. a hole through which a bolt passes.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > an opening or aperture > [noun] > a hole bored, pierced, or perforated > other bored, pierced, or perforated holes
nail-hole1654
bolt-hole1691
shot-hole1745
pilot hole1891
bullet-hole-
1691 T. Hale Acct. New Inventions 45 To Plugg up the bolt-holes.
bolt-iron n. round bar iron.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > metal > iron > [noun] > type of iron > bar-iron > types of
osmund1295
ozimus1550
nail-rod1774
bolt-iron1793
hoop-iron1820
hooping1823
mill bar1839
larget1852
wire iron1952
1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §147 The Bolt iron composing the chain had been..five eighths of an inch in diameter.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > distance > [noun] > limit of distance or reach > to which a thing may be shot > specific
bowshotc1300
bow-draughtc1400
buck-shot1447
flight-shot1455
gun-shot1532
bird bolt shot1570
cannon shot?1571
pistol shot1608
bolt's-shoot1677
rifle shot1803
gun-reach1825
rifle range1830
gun-range1852
1677 R. Plot Nat. Hist. Oxford-shire 336 About a Bolts-shoot off, on the other side the hedge.
Categories »
bolt-strake n. Nautical certain strakes of plank which the beam fastenings pass through (Smyth Sailor's Word-bk.).
bolt-threader n. a machine for cutting screw-threads on bolts.
C4. bolt-upright; see bolt adv.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1887; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
boltn.2
/bəʊlt/, U.S. /boʊlt/ The act of bolting.
1. A sudden spring or start.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > sudden movement > [noun]
braid1297
startc1330
abraid1570
bolt1577
quirka1616
sprunt1660
shunting1775
flick1866
1577 E. Hellowes tr. A. de Guevara Chron. 335 The two Consuls gaue a boylt aloft on their chariots.
1594 (a1555) D. Lindsay Hist. Squyer Meldrum l. 146, in Wks. (1931) I. 150 And with ane bolt on thame he bendit.
2. The act of suddenly breaking away; breaking away from a political party (U.S. colloquial).
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > [noun] > going away suddenly or hurriedly
scamper1697
decampment1706
helter-skelter1713
scamperinga1774
run1799
leg-bail1808
bolting1820
bolt1831
absquatulation1839
vamosing1862
hot foot1869
society > authority > rule or government > politics > party politics > [noun] > deserting one's party > an act of
bolt1831
rat1838
1831 T. De Quincey Dr. Parr in Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Jan. 76/1 He suddenly made a bolt to the very opposite party.
1867 F. Francis Bk. Angling i. 48 He will make a bolt to his holt.
1884 Pall Mall Gaz. 7 July 11/2 It is the ‘Blaine bolt’ which lends so extraordinary an interest to the Chicago Convention.
3. The act of bolting food.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > eating > processes or manners of eating > [noun] > eating hastily
bolt1835
snatching1846
1835 J. Wilson in Blackwood's Mag. 37 133 The difference between a civilized swallow and a barbarous bolt.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1887; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
boltboultn.3
1. A flour-sieve, a boulter. Hence (or from the verb-stem) † bolt-cloth n. Obsolete a cloth for bolting or sifting; a fabric suitable for this. bolt feeder n. an apparatus for regulating the passage of meal to the flour-bolt.† bolt peel n. Obsolete a shovel for putting meal into the bolter.† bolt-poke n. Obsolete a bolter or bag for sifting.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > preparation of grain > [noun] > sieving > sieve or riddle
riddereOE
riddlelOE
boultel1266
temse?1362
reeing-sieve1378
bolt-clothc1425
bolt-pokec1440
bulstarec1440
bigg-riddle1446
oat riddle1446
bolting-tunc1485
bolter1530
bolting-tub1530
bolting-pipe1534
bolting-poke1552
gingerbread temse?1562
bolting-hutch1598
reeving-sieve1613
hutch1619
temzer1696
ree1728
oat-ridder1743
harp1788
bunt1796
bolting-machine1808
sowens-say1825
slap-riddle1844
bolt1847
flour-bolt1874
purifier1884
flour-bolter1888
plansifter1905
the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > preparation of grain > [noun] > sieving > sieve or riddle > shovel for putting meal in sieve
bolt peel?a1500
c1425 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 663 Hoc pollitridium, bult~clathe.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 55 Bulte pooke or bulstare..politrudum.
?a1500 Nominale (Yale Beinecke 594) in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 808 Hoc pollentridium, a bultpele. Polenduare, a bult.
1592 in W. Greenwell Wills & Inventories Registry Durham (1860) II. 212 xj yards of boutcloth 6s.
1611 Book of Rates (Jam.) Boult-claith, the eln xs.
1847 J. Craig New Universal Dict. Bolt, a sieve.
2. A hypothetical law case propounded and argued for practice by students of the Inns of Court. (Cf. bolting n.1 2b.)
ΘΚΠ
society > law > study of law > [noun] > discussion of hypothetical cases by students > hypothetical case discussed
moot1512
bolt1556
moot case1563
1556 in W. P. Baildon Black Bks. (Rec. Soc. Lincoln's Inn) (1897) I. 316 Everi daye (except Sondayes and festifall dayes, when ther is a mote or a bolte).
1570 in R. J. Fletcher Pension-bk. Gray's Inn (1901) I. 4 Item it is ordered..that upon the other dayes not appointed for the moting it shalbe lawfull to the utter baristers to keepe bolts.
1593– in Douthwaite Gray's Inn (1886) 83 None shall be called to the barr but such as..have put Cases at Bolts in Term six times.
1880 Encycl. Brit. XIII. 89/1 Bolts were of an analogous character, though deemed inferior to moots. Both had fallen into desuetude until lately.
1956 A. L. Rowse Early Churchills ii. 14 The readings, moots and bolts—the public exercises that tested the knowledge acquired by the students from their seniors.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1887; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
boltboultv.1
/bəʊlt/, U.S. /boʊlt/ 1.
a. transitive. To sift; to pass through a sieve or bolting-cloth. to bolt out: to separate by sifting.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > preparation of grain > [verb (transitive)] > clean grain > by sieve
temsec950
ridderOE
boltc1175
bunt1340
riddle1440
ree?1523
range1538
succernate1623
ravela1690
reeve1777
c1175 [implied in: Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 992 Recles smec. & bulltedd bræd, Þatt bakenn wass inn ofne. (at bolted adj.1)].
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum xvii. lxvii The floure of þe mele, whan it is bultid [1535 boulted] and departid from þe bran.
1546 J. Heywood Dialogue Prouerbes Eng. Tongue ii. iv. sig. Giiiv Fancy may boult bran, and make ye take it flowre.
1597 J. Gerard Herball ii. 765 Powder of the rootes..searced or bolted into most fine dust.
1607 G. Markham Cavelarice iii. 38 Grinde all these together, and boult them through an ordinarie boulting cloath.
1726 E. Fenton in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey V. xx. 134 To bolt the bran From the pure flour.
1871 G. H. Napheys Prevention & Cure Dis. i. ii. 77 Flour has the bran bolted from it.
b. transferred and figurative.
ΚΠ
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry V (1623) ii. ii. 135 Such and so finely boulted didst thou seeme. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) iv. iv. 362 The fan'd snow, that's bolted By th'Northerne blasts. View more context for this quotation
2. figurative. To examine by sifting; to search and try. to bolt out: to find out, or separate by sifting.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > close examination, scrutiny > scrutinize [verb (transitive)]
through-seekOE
gropea1250
to search outa1382
ensearch1382
boltc1386
examinea1387
ransackc1390
ripea1400
search1409
overreach?a1425
considerc1425
perquirec1460
examec1480
peruse?1520
grounda1529
study1528
oversearch1532
perscrute1536
scrute1536
to go over ——1537
scan1548
examinate1560
rifle1566
to consider of1569
excuss1570
ripe1573
sift1573
sift1577
to pry into ——1581
dive1582
rub1591
explore1596
pervestigate1610
dissecta1631
profound1643
circumspect1667
scrutinize1671
perscrutatea1679
introspect1683
rummage1690
reconnoitre1740
scrutinate1742
to look through1744
scrutiny1755
parse1788
gun1819
cat-haul1840
vivisect1876
scour1882
microscope1888
tooth-comb1893
X-ray1896
comb1904
fine-tooth comb1949
the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > find out, discover [verb (transitive)] > as by sifting, teasing, etc.
tozec1450
to pick out1523
to bolt out1545
sift1592
pumpa1637
incern1656
probe1699
mole1856
to winkle out1942
the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > finding or discovery > find or discover [verb (transitive)] > find by other specific means
to look out?1496
to turn up1523
to bolt out1553
quafer1694
peep1819
poke-out1874
c1386 G. Chaucer Nun's Priest's Tale 420 I ne kan nat bulte it to the bren.
1545 R. Ascham Toxophilus i. f. 31v You Persians for your great wysdome, can soone boult out what they meane.
1553 Queen Mary I in J. Strype Eccl. Memorials (1822) III. App. xiv. 35 Wherby ye may the better bulte out the malicious.
1596 W. Lambarde Perambulation of Kent (rev. ed.) 416 Neither may I..boult out the whole Etymologie (or reason) of euery Townes name.
1641 B. Rudyerd Five Speeches in Parl. 12 Let the matters bolt out the men; their actions discover them.
1791 E. Burke Let. to Member National Assembly in Wks. (1823) VI. 49 I must first bolt myself before I can censure them.
1868 R. Browning Ring & Bk. I. i. 48 The curious few Who care to sift a business to the bran Nor coarsely bolt it like the simpler sort.]
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1887; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
boltv.2
/bəʊlt/, U.S. /boʊlt/ I. To spring, move suddenly, with its causal.
* intransitive To go off like a bolt.† 1. To start, spring. Obsolete.† a. To spring back, rebound, recoil; to fall violently backward. Obsolete.† b. To spring or start; esp. with up, upright. Obsolete or archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > rebound > [verb (intransitive)]
to pilt up againa1200
bolt?c1225
rebounda1398
redoundc1500
stot1513
to strike upward1530
band1580
recoil1591
bound1597
result1598
retort1599
resile1641
bandy1658
resiliate1755
ricochet1804
reverberate1817
kick1832
dap1851
bounce1887
bank1962
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 270 Hit bulteð [a1250 Nero pulteð up, a1250 Titus hit bultes] aȝein upo þeo þe nech stondeð.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 7476 Both went backward & bult vppon the erthe.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > posture > action of standing up or rising > rise or be standing [verb (intransitive)] > rise > quickly or suddenly
to start upc1275
upstart1303
leapc1330
upspringc1374
uprapea1400
boltc1425
starta1470
spring1474
rear1835
rare1886
c1425 Wyntoun Cron. ix. viii. 162 Suddanly He boltyd up welle nere-hand þame by Wyth twelf displayed Baneris.
1483 Cath. Angl. 36 To Bolt up, emergere.
1594 H. Plat Jewell House 74 They shall not be able to rise or bolt vp againe.
1621 F. Quarles Hadassa (1638) 90 What made..thy haire Bolt up?
1771 T. Smollett Humphry Clinker II. 108 The patient, bolting upright in the bed, collared each of these assistants with the grasp of Hercules.
1813 W. Scott Bridal of Triermain ii. x. 67 Screaming with agony and fright, He bolted twenty feet upright.
2. To move or come as with a spring or sudden bound, to dart.
a. To come or spring suddenly upon (obsolete); to enter with a spring or sudden bound in, into.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming in > go or come in [verb (intransitive)] > suddenly
bursta1450
insprent1513
bolt1666
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > suddenness > come upon suddenly [verb (transitive)]
to step on ——OE
takea1382
skey1539
sursault1598
bolt1779
to pounce on (or upon)1812
to burst upon1867
1666 S. Pepys Diary 20 Feb. (1972) VII. 49 Bolting into the dining-room, I there found Captain Ferrer.
1666 J. Bunyan Grace Abounding ⁋143 Suddenly this sentence bolted in upon me.
1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 91. ⁋1 Who came privately in a Chair, and bolted into my Room.
1779 S. Johnson Let. 6 Apr. (1992) III. 228 I think to bolt upon you at Bath.
1840 T. P. Thompson Exercises (1842) V. 92 Men were bolting in a hurry out of one religious tyranny, and it was not so wonderful they should bolt into another.
1854 T. De Quincey On Murder (rev. ed.) in Select. Grave & Gay IV. 74 In, therefore, he bolted, and..turned the key.
b. To dart forth, forward, out. (Often with the idea of start running, as in 3.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > go or come out [verb (intransitive)] > rush out
outfling?c1450
bolta1522
breakc1540
outrush1563
expire1626
outrun1819
a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1957) v. vi. 58 Furth bowtis with a bend Nysus.
1594 (a1555) D. Lindsay Hist. Squyer Meldrum l. 519, in Wks. (1931) I. 160 [He] bowtit fordwart, with ane bend.
a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) I. 92 Bolting out of Bushes in the dark.
1697 J. Dryden Ded. Georgics in tr. Virgil Wks. sig. ¶2 Some bolting out upon the Stage with vast applause.
a1779 D. Garrick Lying Valet i, in Wks. (1798) I. 42 Out bolts her husband upon me with a fine taper crab in his hand.
1834 T. Pringle Afr. Sketches viii. 259 With..a furious growl, forth he bolted from the bush.
c. Hawking. (See quot. 1855.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > hawking > action of hawk > [verb (intransitive)] > fly at quarry
enoisel?1533
rake1797
bolt1855
1855 F. H. Salvin & W. Brodrick Falconry in Brit. Isles Gloss. 149 Bolt, to fly straight from the fist at game, as Goshawks and Sparrow-Hawks do.
d. Horticulture. To ‘run to seed’ prematurely.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > by growth or development > grow or vegetate [verb (intransitive)] > grow abnormally or unseasonably
spirt1584
boll1601
sprout1675
run1725
button1767
bolt1889
to set to seed1897
1889 in Cent. Dict.
1961 Amateur Gardening 16 Sept. 12/2 In April or early May many of the plants ‘bolted’.
3. To dart off or away, make off with himself, take flight, escape; to rush suddenly off or away.
a. gen. of people or animals. spec. of a rabbit, fox, etc.: to escape from its burrow or earth.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > thing hunted or game > action of game > [verb (intransitive)]
to stand, be (abide obs.) at bayc1314
to steal awayc1369
stalla1425
starta1425
rusec1425
beatc1470
lodgec1470
trason1486
rouse1532
angle1575
bolt1575
to take squat1583
baya1657
watch1677
fall1697
tree1699
to go away1755
to sink the wind1776
to get up1787
to go to ground1797
lie1797
to stand up1891
fly1897
society > travel > aspects of travel > departure, leaving, or going away > depart, leave, or go away [verb (intransitive)] > hastily or suddenly
fleec825
warpa1400
wringc1400
bolt1575
decamp1751
mog1770
to hop the twig1797
to take (its, etc.) wing1806
to make (take) tracks (for)1824
vamoose1834
fade1848
skedaddle1862
to beat it1906
blow1912
to hop it1914
beetle1919
bug1950
jet1951
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > go away [verb (intransitive)] > go away suddenly or hastily
fleec825
runOE
swervea1225
biwevec1275
skip1338
streekc1380
warpa1400
yerna1400
smoltc1400
stepc1460
to flee (one's) touch?1515
skirr1548
rubc1550
to make awaya1566
lope1575
scuddle1577
scoura1592
to take the start1600
to walk off1604
to break awaya1616
to make off1652
to fly off1667
scuttle1681
whew1684
scamper1687
whistle off1689
brush1699
to buy a brush1699
to take (its, etc.) wing1704
decamp1751
to take (a) French leave1751
morris1765
to rush off1794
to hop the twig1797
to run along1803
scoot1805
to take off1815
speela1818
to cut (also make, take) one's lucky1821
to make (take) tracks (for)1824
absquatulize1829
mosey1829
absquatulate1830
put1834
streak1834
vamoose1834
to put out1835
cut1836
stump it1841
scratch1843
scarper1846
to vamoose the ranch1847
hook1851
shoo1851
slide1859
to cut and run1861
get1861
skedaddle1862
bolt1864
cheese it1866
to do a bunkc1870
to wake snakes1872
bunk1877
nit1882
to pull one's freight1884
fooster1892
to get the (also to) hell out (of)1892
smoke1893
mooch1899
to fly the coop1901
skyhoot1901
shemozzle1902
to light a shuck1905
to beat it1906
pooter1907
to take a run-out powder1909
blow1912
to buzz off1914
to hop it1914
skate1915
beetle1919
scram1928
amscray1931
boogie1940
skidoo1949
bug1950
do a flit1952
to do a scarper1958
to hit, split or take the breeze1959
to do a runner1980
to be (also get, go) ghost1986
1575 G. Gascoigne Noble Arte Venerie lxiv. 179 Put in a Ferret close musseled, and she will make the Conies bolte out againe into your pursenets.
1575 G. Gascoigne Noble Arte Venerie lxiv. 179 It will make the Conies bolte out of the earth.
1620 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Phylaster ii. 16 Here's one boulted, I'le hound at her.
a1625 J. Fletcher Humorous Lieut. iv. viii, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Sss3 v/2 He will bolt now for certaine.
1838 N. Hawthorne Amer. Note-bks. (1871) I. 156 The landlord of the tavern keeping his eye on a man whom he suspected of an intention to bolt.
1851 T. Sternberg Dial. & Folk-lore Northants. Bolt-hole, the hole from which the rabbit makes its escape; or, in the phraseology of the craft, ‘bolts’.
1864 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend (1865) I. ii. iii. 188 At once bolting off in cabs.
1879 F. T. Pollok Sport Brit. Burmah II. 94 The rhinoceros bolted, and I got two shots as it crossed an open piece.
1900 A. E. T. Watson Young Sportsman 234 A rabbit will bolt much sooner from a ferret that is free.
1900 A. E. T. Watson Young Sportsman 234 A rabbit will sometimes decline to bolt, and will be killed in the burrow.
b. spec. Of a horse: To break away from the rider's control; to make a violent dash out of his course.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > horse defined by purpose used for > [verb (intransitive)] > carry rider > bolt (with rider)
to run away withc1330
bolt1820
1820 W. Scott Monastery I. v. 178 The mule..bounded, bolted, and would soon have thrown Father Philip over her head.
1877 A. B. Edwards Thousand Miles up Nile xxii. 683 My donkey bolted about every five minutes.
1884 E. L. Anderson Mod. Horsemanship i. viii. 44 Bolting is the quick, determined movement, usually off the course and often against some obstacle, that a horse makes to break away from restraint.
c. transferred. To break away from a political party. (U.S. Politics.) Cf. 7.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > rule or government > politics > party politics > [verb (intransitive)] > desert one's party
to go over1648
rat1810
bolt1821
to jump Jim Crow1833
Tylerize1865
1821 in E. S. Brown Missouri Compromises (1926) 43 Parker of Virginia, & some others, bolted.
1833 Louisville Daily Herald 17 Oct. Does the Doctor apprehend that the editor is about to ‘bolt’?
1854 Knickerbocker May 522 Uncle R. was not much of a politician;..but he would often ‘bolt’ and carry the town with him.
1871 St. Louis Democrat 3 Apr. (De Vere) Several of our contemporaries have announced..that Carl Schurz has bolted from the Republican party.
1884 Boston (Mass.) Jrnl. 11 July (heading) Belief that Butler and Tammany will bolt.
** transitive To send off like a bolt.
4.
a. To let off or discharge like a bolt; to shoot.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impelling or driving > projecting through space or throwing > throw [verb (transitive)] > project through space
to let flyOE
shootc1290
bolta1420
dischargec1500
speeda1569
outshoota1586
emit1711
wing1718
wise1721
arrow1796
wing1970
bomb-
a1420 T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum 2226 Disceyte..Bultethe out shame, and causethe grete smertnesse.
1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 439 A frivolous devise boulted out of the forgeshoppe of Lumbarde.
1618 P. Holderus tr. J. van Oldenbarneveld Barneuel's Apol. sig. C Against your woundless brest he bolts his dart in vaine.
1648 G. Markham Country Housew. Garden (1668) iii. viii. 71 One of these seeds put into the eye..will..bolt itself forth without hurt to the eye.
1799 R. Kirwan Geol. Ess. 169 Some may have been bolted off by the shock of an earthquake.
b. To drive out suddenly or forcibly; to expel. spec. To cause (a fox, rabbit, otter, etc.) to retreat from its hole or burrow. Also transferred and figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > letting or sending out > let or send out [verb (transitive)] > expel
afferreOE
warpc1000
outdriveOE
wreakc1100
to cast out1297
to cast fortha1382
out-chasec1395
flecchea1400
to shoot forth, out, awaya1400
propel?1440
expulse?a1475
scour1488
out-thrust1532
to catch forthc1540
propulse1548
pulsec1550
unplant1552
to turn out of ——1562
extrude1566
detrude?1567
eliminate1568
deturbate1570
detruse1571
unroost1598
to put by1600
deturb1609
bolt1615
run1631
disembogue1632
out of1656
expel1669
rout1812
to manage (a person) out of1907
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > letting or sending out > let or send out [verb (transitive)] > expel > from a lair, nest, or hole
unnestlec1450
unnest?1533
unkennel1565
unharbour1575
unden1598
unharborough1611
bolt1615
unearth1622
unburrow1860
1615 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Cupids Revenge iii. sig. G1v This is one of her Ferrets that shee bolts businesse out withall.
1632 Guillim's Display of Heraldrie (ed. 2) iii. xiv. 176 You shall say Bowlt the Conie.
a1640 J. Fletcher & P. Massinger Spanish Curat v. ii, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. G4 v/1 All your devills wee will bolt.
a1807 W. Wordsworth Prelude (1959) iii. 100 To have been bolted forth, Thrust out abruptly into Fortune's way.
1864 J. C. Atkinson Stanton Grange 201 He intended to dig at his leisure until he bolted him [sc. an otter].
1892 Mrs. J. E. H. Gordon Eunice Anscombe 176 The terrier..was put into the hole to ‘bolt’ the otter.
1902 Daily Chron. 13 Mar. 8/2 A brace of foxes were next bolted from an artificial earth.
1914 R. Curle Life a Dream 229 The dogs became wildly excited, pawing at the sand around the hole, bolting the crab, and then biting it.
1922 E. Phillpotts Grey Room vii. 172 He'll bolt it [sc. the evil spirit] yet,..like a ferret bolts a rat.
c. to bolt upright: to cause to stand on end.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > hair > horripilation > [verb (transitive)]
bristlea1616
frizz1791
to bolt upright1794
stiver1886
1794 J. Wolcot Compl. Epist. to Bruce in Wks. II. 463 Tales..That bolt like hedge-hog-quills the hair upright.
d.
(a) Archery. To loose too soon after drawing the bow.
ΚΠ
1909 in Cent. Dict. Suppl.
(b) Golf. To putt with so much force that the ball will go some distance past the hole if it fails to go into it.
ΚΠ
1909 in Cent. Dict. Suppl.
5. To utter hastily, ejaculate, blurt out or forth.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > speak, say, or utter [verb (transitive)] > without restraint, openly, or recklessly > blurt out
braid1562
blurt1573
bolt1577
plump1579
sot1608
to bounce out (with)c1626
flirt1641
blutter1684
to come right out with1861
to give vent1870
blat1879
whip1889
1577 M. Hanmer tr. Socrates Scholasticus vii. xxix, in Aunc. Eccl. Hist. 393 He bolted out such rash & vnadvised sayings.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 123 Mahomet-Ally-beg vndesired, bolted out, that hee knew [etc.].
a1657 G. Daniel Trinarchodia: Richard II cccxlvii, in Poems (1878) III. 223 The Rudest Head will bolt a Paraphrase.
1702 R. L'Estrange tr. Josephus Jewish Antiq. xvi. vi, in Wks. 448 The Princes..bolted out at a Venture, whatever came at their Tongue's End.
1821 S. T. Coleridge Lett., Conversat., & Recoll. I. xv. 161 What we struggle with inwardly, we find..easiest to bolt out.
6. colloquial. To swallow hastily and without chewing, swallow whole or with a single effort, gulp down.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > eating > processes or manners of eating > eat via specific process [verb (transitive)] > eat hastily
snatch1519
gobble1583
goggle1611
bolt1794
snatch1803
snap-
1794 J. Wolcot Pathetic Odes in Wks. III. 401 Bolting his subjects with majestic gobble.
1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian iii, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. III. 78 He..bolted the alcohol, to use the learned phrase, and withdrew.
1834 F. Marryat Pacha I. ix. 174 Bolting them down to satisfy the cravings of..hunger.
1859 C. Darwin Origin of Species xi. 362 Some hawks and owls bolt their prey whole.
1882 Pall Mall Gaz. 2 June 3/1 It would be much simpler for the House of Commons to bolt the bill whole.
*** transitive development of 3, 3b, 3c.
7. To break away from (a political party or platform to which one has hitherto docilely adhered); = bolt from, in sense 3 (U.S. Politics).
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > rule or government > politics > party politics > involve in party politics [verb (transitive)] > desert party
bolt1813
1813 Portsmouth (N.H.) Oracle 20 Nov. 2/3 Others,..without sufficient courage to do their duty, bolted the question.
1847 Congress. Globe 4 Feb. 322/2 [I said] that I had never bolted a regular nomination of the Democratic party, from President to constable.
1867 Congress. Globe Apr. 847/1 I did not follow [Mr. Fessenden] in his leadership on that occasion. I have no recollection of ever having bolted my leader until that time, but then I did.
1884 Boston (Mass.) Jrnl. 11 July It is believed that Butler and Tammany will bolt the ticket.
1884 U.S. Newspaper Several prominent Irishmen had bolted Cleveland.
1885 Howells in Harper's Mag. July 262/1 The Democrat-Republican..bolted the nomination of a certain politician of its party for Congress.
II. To make fast or confine with a bolt.† 8. transitive. To fetter, shackle; also figurative. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restraint depriving of liberty > binding or fettering > bind, fetter, or shackle [verb (transitive)]
bind971
to bind hand and footOE
i-bindec1000
umgivea1300
warrok1362
hampera1375
bolt1377
shacklec1440
astrainc1475
estrain1483
to put in irons1533
to tie up1570
manacle1582
beshackle1599
to tie (also lay) neck and heels1618
fillet1633
kilta1689
to tie down1699
oblige1718
hog-tie1886
zip-tie1985
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. vi. 138 If he be..bolted with yrnes.
a1535 T. More Wks. (1557) 1246 He bolteth their arms with a paulsy, that they cannot lift their hands to their heads.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) v. ii. 6 That thing..Which shackles accedents, and bolts vp change. View more context for this quotation
9.
a. transitive. To secure (a door, etc.) with a bolt.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > closed or shut condition > close or shut [verb (transitive)] > close (a door, window, etc.) > bolt, bar, or lock
sparc1175
pena1200
louka1225
bara1300
shutc1320
lockc1325
clicketc1390
keyc1390
pinc1390
sneckc1440
belocka1450
spare?c1450
latch1530
to lock up1549
slot1563
bolt1574
to lock to?1575
double-lock1594
stang1598
obserate1623
padlock1722
button1741
snib1808
chain1839
1574 J. Baret Aluearie B 827 The olde woman bolted the dore.
1611 Bible (King James) 2 Sam. xiii. 17 Put now this woman out from mee, and bolt the doore after her. View more context for this quotation
1663 S. Patrick Parable of Pilgrim 439 You haue obstinately bolted your heart against all these pious stories.
1720 T. Boston Human Nature iv. 200 Labouring to enter into Heaven by the Door, which Adam's Sin..bolted.
1866 A. Trollope Belton Estate II. ii. 41 The kitchen door, which he locked and bolted.
b. to bolt out, in, up: to exclude, shut in, shut up, by bolting a door, etc. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > closed or shut condition > close or shut [verb (transitive)] > shut or lock (a person or thing) in or out
inseil?a1000
bespara1100
loukc1275
sparc1430
spare?c1450
to shut inc1460
to lock out1599
occlude1623
inbolt1632
to bolt out, in, upa1653
sneck1816
sport1825
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > be on the outside of [verb (transitive)] > keep or shut out > specific persons > by locking or bolting doors
to lock out?a1425
to lock fortha1616
to bolt out, in, upa1653
a1653 Z. Boyd Zion's Flowers (1855) 32 Yee grace barre out, and vanitie bolt in.
1691 E. Taylor Behmen's Incarn. 330 The Divine Substantiality did sit bolted up therein.
1839 P. J. Bailey Festus 70 Where God is bolted out from every house.
c. absol. or intransitive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > closed or shut condition > become closed or shut [verb (intransitive)] > become closed (of a door, window, etc.) > close or lock door(s)
steekc1400
to lock upa1631
bolt1847
chain1886
1847 F. Marryat Children of New Forest I. ii. 24 We can bolt and bar.
d. intransitive for passive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > closed or shut condition > become closed or shut [verb (intransitive)] > become closed (of a door, window, etc.) > be or admit of being locked or bolted
lock1590
bolt1907
1907 Smart Set Feb. 77/1 The door bolts on the inside.
10. To fasten together or furnish with bolts.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > working with tools or equipment > fastening > fasten [verb (transitive)] > with bolts
bolt1728
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Keel Into this are all the Ground-Timbers and Hooks fastened and bolted.
1780 E. Burke Speech Bristol previous to Election 61 The..fabric..is well cramped and bolted together in all its parts.
1787 Ld. Nelson in Dispatches & Lett. (1845) I. 207 I have ordered her [a ship] to be new bolted.
1824 A. Ure Dict. Chem. (new ed.) 9 A disc of cast-iron well fitted and firmly bolted to it.
1875 A. Maclaren Serm. 2nd Ser. iii. 55 A strong shaft of iron bolting together the two tottering walls of some old building.
Compounds
The verb-stem in combination.
bolt-on adj. of an optional addition to a car, machinery, etc.: able to be attached to the original parts by bolts; also figurative, (able to be) added on to something when required; cf. add-on n. and adj. and screw-on adj. and n.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > working with tools or equipment > fastening > [adjective] > with bolt > able to be
bolt-on1963
1963 Times 8 Jan. 11/1 To test the effectiveness of a ‘bolt-on’ conversion unit during everyday motoring, I had the latest Lockheed diaphragm servo system fitted to a Morris 1100.
1967 Time 12 May 88/3 Decked out with bolt-on guns and rocket launchers, the shaking, rattling and rolling choppers are less than perfect for close-in fire support.
1974 Daily Tel. 4 Sept. 12/1 Bolt-on aerofoils for your Ford or Austin could be the next motor accessory craze.
1986 Pract. Gardening Mar. 12/1 We came up with the idea of a ‘bolt-on’ garden.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1887; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
boltadv.
1. The noun is used similatively (cf. snow-white adj. and n., sand-blind adj.) = ‘as a bolt,’ in bolt up (obsolete), bolt upright (see upright adj. and n.); whence bolt-ˈuprightness n.
ΘΠ
the world > space > relative position > vertical position > [noun] > condition of being vertical or upright
bolt-uprightnessc1405
perpendicularness1606
uprightness1645
erectness1646
verticality1799
verticalism1860
the world > space > relative position > vertical position > [adverb] > uprightly
upwardc1290
uprightsa1375
bolt uprightc1405
rect1557
uprightly1601
bolt up1638
erectly1646
up1669
the world > space > relative position > posture > upright or erect posture > [noun]
bolt-uprightnessc1405
erection1622
erectness1646
standing1709
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Reeve's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 346 I haue..Swyued the Milleris doghter bolt vp right.
c1420 Pallad. on Husb. i. 967 Bere it bolt upright..and ley her downe upright.
1579 T. North tr. Plutarch Liues 906 His heare stood bolt vpright vpon his head.
1635 R. Brathwait tr. M. Silesio Arcadian Princesse 158 Epimonos all this while sat bolt-upright in a chaire.
1638 W. More in Obsequies 11 in Justa Edouardo King On his knees..With hands bolt up to heaven.
1824 W. Irving Tales of Traveller I. 87 I suddenly sprang bolt upright in my chair, and awoke.
2. The verb stem is used adverbially to express a sudden rapid motion; = ‘bolting, with one bolt, straight’.
ΘΠ
the world > time > duration > shortness or brevity in time > [adverb] > instantaneously or with a short space of time
swiftlya1400
at one fling1556
at one (a) chop1581
per saltum1602
at one (fell, etc.) swoop1612
popa1625
instantaneously1644
in the catching up of a garter1697
in the drawing of a trigger1706
in a handclap1744
at a slap1753
momentaneously1753
in a whiff1800
in a brace or couple of shakes1816
bolt1839
at a single jeta1856
overnight1912
jiffy-quick1927
in two ups1934
1839 T. Hood I'm not Single Man vi, in Hood's Own 123/2 Bolt up the stairs they ran.
1877 J. S. Blackie Wise Men Greece 121 A pitchy pillar of thick-volumed smoke Shot bolt to heaven.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1887; most recently modified version published online December 2019).
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n.1a1000
n.21577
n.3c1425v.1c1175v.2?c1225adv.c1405