[The sb. (BOLT1) and stem of the vb. (BOLT2), used to qualify adjectives and verbs.]
1. The sb. is used similatively (cf. snow-white, sand-blind) = ‘as a bolt,’ in bolt up (obs.), bolt upright (see UPRIGHT); whence Bolt-uprightness sb.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Reeve’s T., 346.
c. 1420. Pallad. on Husb., I. 967. Bere it bolt upright … and ley her downe upright.
1580. North, Plutarch (1676), 706. His hair stood bolt upright upon his head.
1635. Brathwait, Arcad. Pr., 158. Epimonos all this while sat bolt-upright in a chaire.
1651. Cleveland, Poems, 12. On his knees … With hands bolt up to Heaven.
1824. W. Irving, T. Trav., I. 87. I suddenly sprang bolt upright in my chair, and awoke.
1726. Amherst, Terræ Filius, xxix. 155. That bolt uprightness of mien.
1850. Mrs. Stowe, Uncle Tom’s C., xv. 152. Stiffness and squareness, and bolt-uprightness.
2. The vb. stem is used advb. to express a sudden rapid motion; = ‘bolting, with one bolt, straight.’
a. 1845. Hood, Not a single Man, vi. Bolt up the stairs they ran.
1877. Blackie, Wise Men, 121. A pitchy pillar of thick-volumed smoke Shot bolt to heaven.
