hunt's-up
English edit
Etymology edit
From "The hunt is up", the name of an old hunting song.
Noun edit
hunt's-up (plural hunt's-ups)
- (obsolete) A tune played on the horn very early in the morning to call out the hunters; hence, any rousing sound or call.
- c. 1591–1595 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Romeo and Ivliet”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene v]:
- Since arme from arme that voyce doth vs affray,
Hunting thee hence, with Hunts-vp to the day
- 1605, Michael Drayton, The Third Eclogue:
- Time plays the hunt's-up to thy sleepy head.
- (obsolete) Any disturbing sound or noise; a racket, a disturbance.
- 1664, Charles Cotton, Scarronides:
- I'll play theſe Rake-hells such a Hunts up, / As were they ſhee's would turn their ⸺ up.