pelt

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   The skin of an animal with the hair or wool on

   The skin of an animal with the hair or wool on; either a raw or undressed hide, or a skin preserved with the hair or wool on it (sometimes worn as a garment with minimal modification).

   • My people got themselves pelts and pelts—there was such a trapping as comes but few times in a life. Pelts and pelts, the silver and the grey—fine pelts.
2. 2

   The skin of an animal (especially a goat or sheep) with the hair or wool removed, often…

   The skin of an animal (especially a goat or sheep) with the hair or wool removed, often in preparation for tanning.

3. 3

   The fur or hair of a living animal.

   • Near-synonym: coat
   • The Cauſes and the Signs ſhall next be told, / Of ev'ry Sickneſs that infects the Fold [of sheep]. / A ſcabby Tetter on their pelts vvill ſtick, / VVhen the ravv Rain has pierc'd 'em to the quick: […]
4. ›+ 25 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      Human skin, especially when bare

      Human skin, especially when bare; also, a person's hair.

   2. 5

      A garment made from animal skins.

   3. 6

      The body of any quarry killed by a hawk

      The body of any quarry killed by a hawk; also, a dead bird given to a hawk for food.

      • If two [hawks] are flown they are certain to fell the game at once, and the falconer is always flurried by their violent propensity to crab over the "pelt."
   4. 7

      To remove the skin from (an animal)

      To remove the skin from (an animal); to skin.

   5. 8

      Chiefly followed by from

      Chiefly followed by from: to remove (the skin) from an animal.

      • A gentleman (long agoe) lent him an old velvet ſaddle, […] [He] preſently untruſſeth, and pelts the out-ſide from the lining, […] with it he made him a caſe, or cover, for a dublet, which hath caſed and coverd his nakednes ever ſince: […]
   6. 9

      To remove feathers from (a bird).

      • A Man took an Eagle, Pelted her VVings, and put her among his Hens. Somebody came and bought This Eagle, and preſently Nevv-Feather'd her.
   7. 10

      To bombard (someone or something) with missiles.

      • The children are pelting each other with snowballs.
      • They pelted the attacking army with bullets.
      • Pope Lucius [II] being also amongst thē in the fight, well pelted with stones and blowes liued not long after.
   8. 11

      To force (someone or something) to move using blows or the throwing of missiles.

      • […] Martin survived […] to receive absolution from the very priest, whom, precisely on that day three years, he had assisted to pelt out of the hamlet of Morgenbrodt.
      • Presently, sweetened by distance, would be heard the wild weird song of lads and lasses, driving or rather pelting, through the gloaming their sheep and goats; […]
      • So he was pelted out of the coram populo, was he?
   9. 12

      Of a number of small objects (such as raindrops), or the sun's rays

      Of a number of small objects (such as raindrops), or the sun's rays: to beat down or fall on (someone or something) in a shower.

      • The chiding billovv ſeemes to pelt the cloudes, / The vvinde ſhak'd ſurge, vvith high and monſtrous mayne, / Seemes to caſt vvater, on the burning Beare, […]
      • Ile ſtand this ſtorm of hail though the ſtones pelt me.
   10. 13

       Chiefly followed by at

       Chiefly followed by at: to (continuously) throw (missiles) at.

       • The children pelted apples at us.
       • [I]n his Paroxyſms, as he vvalked the Streets, he vvould have his Pockets loaden vvith Stones, to pelt at the Signs.
       • Will someone hand me anything hard and bruising to pelt at her?
   11. 14

       To repeatedly beat or hit (someone or something).

   12. 15

       To assail (someone) with harsh words in speech or writing

       To assail (someone) with harsh words in speech or writing; to abuse, to insult.

       • I have […] had the honour to be pelted with several epistles to expostulate with me on that subject.
       • They don't knovv hovv to go about their abuſe. VVho vvill read a five ſhilling book againſt me? No, Sir, if they had vvit, they ſhould have kept pelting me vvith pamphlets.
   13. 16

       Especially of hailstones, rain, or snow

       Especially of hailstones, rain, or snow: to beat down or fall forcefully or heavily; to rain down.

       • It’s pelting down out there!
       • Accurſt be he that firſt inuented war, / They knew not, ah, they knew not ſimple men, / How thoſe were hit by pelting Cannon ſhot, / Stand ſtaggering like a quiuering Aſpen leafe, / Fearing the force of Boreas boiſtrous blaſts.
       • Ever let the Fancy roam, / Pleasure never is at home: / At a touch sweet Pleasure melteth, / Like to bubbles when rain pelteth; […]
   14. 17

       To move rapidly, especially in or on a conveyance.

       • I pelted across to where my family was sitting.
       • The bus went pelting down the hill.
   15. 18

       To throw out harsh words

       To throw out harsh words; to show anger.

       • Another ſmotherd, ſeemes to pelt and ſvveare, / And in their rage ſuch ſignes of rage they beare, […]
       • But if they vvho diſſent in matters not eſſential to Belief, vvhile the common Adverſary is in the Field, ſhall ſtand jarring and pelting at one another, they vvill ſoon be routed and ſubdued.
   16. 19

       A beating or falling down of hailstones, rain, or snow in a shower.

       • [D]azed and blinded, she bent her head as if to let the pelt of jagged hail, the drench of dirty water, bespatter her unrebuked.
       • Kas is awakened by the furious pelts of rain hitting the tin roof, and he rolls over, pulling his sleeping wife tightly into his arms.
   17. 20

       A blow or stroke from something thrown.

       • [T]he cripple, in falling, gave him ſuch a good pelt on the head vvith his crutch, that the blood follovved.
   18. 21

       A verbal insult

       A verbal insult; a jeer, a jibe, a taunt.

   19. 22

       A fit of anger

       A fit of anger; an outburst, a rage.

       • The pope [Innocent IV] being in this pelt, Ægidus, a Spanish cardinal, thus interposed his gravity: […]
   20. 23

       An act of moving quickly

       An act of moving quickly; a rush.

       • It's a good day off us anyhow, and they're all going south-west by south full pelt as hard as they can go.
   21. 24

       A tattered or worthless piece of clothing

       A tattered or worthless piece of clothing; a rag.

   22. 25

       Anything in a ragged and worthless state

       Anything in a ragged and worthless state; rubbish, trash.

   23. 26

       To bargain for a better deal

       To bargain for a better deal; to haggle.

   24. 27

       Alternative form of pelta.

   25. 28

       A surname.

The neighborhood

• neighborfell
• neighborpelisse
• neighborpell
• neighborpellage
• neighborpellagra
• neighborpellicle
• neighborpilch
• neighborsurplice
• neighborpeltry
• neighborbearskin
• neighborbeaverskin
• neighborcowskin