verb / noun
bolt
To move away suddenly and quickly.
The startled horse bolts across the field toward the open gate.
Etymology
Old English bolt named a short arrow. A person or animal that bolts moves off with the sudden speed of a shot projectile, giving the word its rushing-away sense.
More examples
- She made a bolt for the door.
- The dog bolted when it heard thunder.
- He was bolting down the stairs before I could answer.
Forms
bolt · bolts · bolted · bolting