Also 6–7 flight-shoot. [f. FLIGHT sb.1 + SHOT sb.]
1. The distance to which a flight-arrow is shot, a bow-shot.
1455. Paston Lett., No. 257. I. 351. He shuld walke forth with them on his feete; and so he dede till he was a flyte shote or more from his place.
1538. Leland, Itin. (1744), IV. 41. The passage into it at ful Se is a flite Shot over, as much as the Tamise is above the Bridge.
1615. G. Sandys, Trav., 23. This hill lyeth South of the ruines of that ancient Hephæstia which gave a name unto Vulcan, and about three flight-shots remoued.
1625. J. Taylor (Water P.), Thiefe, Wks. (1630), II. 119/2.
| Some two flight-shoot to th’Alehouse he did wag, | |
| And left his sacke in keeping with his Nag. |
a. 1697. Aubrey, Nat. Hist. Surrey (1719), I. 46. A Brook which riseth four Mile off in a Cellar; and a Flight-shot off drives a Mill; and a Flight-shot off from thence another Mill.
1852. Hawthorne, Blithedale Rom., xviii. Far as her flight-shot was, those arrows hit the mark.
fig. 1647. Ward, The Simple Cobler of Aggawam in America, 29. I intend not such as through necessary modesty to avoid morose singularity, follow fashions slowly, a flight shot or two off, showing by their moderation, that they rather draw countermont with their hearts, than put on by their examples.
1704. Swift, T. Tub, vi. 86. Jack was already gone a Flight-shot beyond his Patience.
2. A shot taken at wildfowl in flight.
1887. Rye, Norfolk Broads, 100. In the hope of getting a flight shot at duck or plover.
