hotspur
(ˈhɒtspɜː(r))
1. One whose spur is hot with impetuous or constant riding; hence, one who spurs or pushes on recklessly; a heady or rash person. (First occurring, and best known, as surname of Sir Henry Percy, son of the Earl of Northumberland, who fell in the rebellion against Henry IV, in 1403.)
| 1460 J. Capgrave Chron. (Rolls) 243 Herry Percy the yonger, whom the Scottis clepid Herry Hatspore. 1586 J. Hooker Girald. Irel. in Holinshed II. 97/2 He was..in matters of importance an headlong hotspur. 1596 Shakes. 1 Hen. IV, v. ii. 19 A haire-brain'd Hotspurre, gouern'd by a Spleene. 1600 Holland Livy xxxvi. vi. 922 Some hot-spurres..gave councell to goe against them with all their forces. 1726 De Foe Hist. Devil (1822) 287 As we say of some hot-spurs who ride post, they whip the post boy. 1895 Daily News 19 Apr. 5/5 The ‘Vossische Zeitung’..says: ‘Perhaps this sudden coolness on the part of England gives certain Hot⁓spurs in our own Fatherland something to think about’. |
† 2. Name for a very early kind of pea: also hotspur-pease. (Cf. hasting B. 1.) Obs.
| a 1700 B. E. Dict. Cant. Crew, Hot Spur,..also early or forward Peas. 1707 Lond. Gaz. No. 4357/4 To be sold..Rogue-Pease, and Hotspur-Pease. 1707–12 Mortimer Husb. (J.), The hotspur is the speediest of any in growth. |
3. attrib. or adj. Fiery-spirited, hasty, rash.
| 1596 Spenser F.Q. iv. i. 35 The hot-spurre youth so scorning to be crost. c 1618 [see horse-racer]. 1660 Hickeringill Jamaica (1661) 71 A wary plodding Fabius signifying more than a hot Spur Marcellus. 1883 Harper's Mag. Feb. 425/1 After the union of the States..the political conduct of South Carolina was so imperious..that she was not uncommonly known as the ‘Hotspur State’. |
So hot-spurred (ˈhɒtspɜːd) a. = 3.
| 1594 Nashe Unfort. Trav. 60 Such a hotspurd plague as hath not bin heard of. 1683 Chalkhill Thealma & Cl. 4l (N.) A hot-spurr'd youth height Hylas. |