hotspur

[hot-spur]

noun

an impetuous or reckless person; a hothead.

Nearby words

Origin of hotspur

1425–75; late Middle English; after Sir Henry Percy, to whom it was applied as a nickname

Related formshot·spurred, adjective

Percy

[pur-see]

noun

Sir HenryHotspur, 1364–1403, English military and rebel leader.

Thomas,1729–1811, English poet and antiquary: bishop of Dromore 1782–1811.

Walker,1916–90, U.S. essayist and novelist.

a male given name, form of Percival.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for hotspur

Hotspur:  Why, so can I, or so can any man;  But will they come when you do call for them?
The Contraception Fight|David Frum|February 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Oswald went to Hotspur's apartments, as soon as he entered the castle.
Both Sides the Border|G. A. Henty
The tower, however, was not built by Hotspur, but by his son.
Northumberland Yesterday and To-day|Jean F. Terry
It was almost such a letter as a Hotspur should write on such an occasion.
Sir Harry Hotspur of Humblethwaite|Anthony Trollope

Hotspur and Douglas were two young warriors much of the same age.
Reliques of Ancient English Poetry, Volume I (of 3)|Thomas Percy
But Shakspere requires, for his play's sake, to identify the slayer of Hotspur with his rival the Prince.
A Dish Of Orts|George MacDonald

British Dictionary definitions for hotspur

hotspur

noun

an impetuous or fiery person

Word Origin for hotspur

C15: from Hotspur, nickname of Sir Henry Percy

Hotspur

noun

Harry Hotspur the nickname of Sir Henry PercySee Percy

Percy

noun

Sir Henry, known as Harry Hotspur. 1364–1403, English rebel, who was killed leading an army against Henry IV

Thomas. 1729–1811, English bishop and antiquary. His Reliques of Ancient English Poetry (1765) stimulated the interest of Romantic writers in old English and Scottish ballads

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012