Bolt, subst., 1) a sort of arrow with a round bob at the end of it: “I'll make a shaft or a b. on't,” Wiv. III, 4, 24 (i. e. I will take the risk, whatever may come of it). “a fool's b. is soon shot,” H5 III, 7, 132. cf. As V, 4, 67.
2) any arrow: “the b. of Cupid,” Mids. II, 1, 165. “'twas but a b. of nothing, shot at nothing,” Cymb. IV, 2, 300.
3) thunderbolt: “rifted Jove's stout oak with his own b.” Tp. V, 46. “thy sharp and sulphurous b.” Meas. II, 2, 115. Cor. V, 3, 152. Cymb. V, 4, 95.
4) bar of a door: “with massy staples and corresponsive and fulfilling --s,” Cymb. V, 4, 95. “to oppose the b. against my coming in,” Lr. II, 4, 179.
5) iron to fasten chains, and hence bolts == chains, fetters: “lay --s enough upon him!” Meas. V, 350. “--s and shackles!” Tw. II, 5, 62. “give me the penitent instrument to pick that b., then free for ever,” Cymb. V, 4, 10. “no --s for the dead,” Cymb. V, 4, 10
Shakespeare Lexicon. Alexander Schmidt. Berlin. Georg Reimer. 1902.
This text was converted to electronic form by professional data entry and has been proofread to a high level of accuracy.
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