adv. ? Obs. [f. FOOT sb. + HOT a. or adv.; the sb. seems to be locative as in footsore; cf. the differently formed synonym hot-foot.] a. In hot haste, without pause or slackening of speed. b. In the phrase to follow foot-hot, the adv. was sometimes taken to mean ‘closely’; hence it was used in other collocations to express mere proximity of situation.

1

c. 1320.  The Seuyn Sages (W.), 842.

        Als quik he dede his schon of-drawe,
And karf his vaumpes, fot-hot.

2

c. 1375.  Sc. Leg. Saints, Paulus, 1164.

        For paule, þis manis adwocat,
Is cumine till hym now fut-hat.

3

c. 1420.  Pallad. on Husb., III. 228.

        So that thair apples riped with foothoote
The semynaire be sette in.

4

c. 1460.  Towneley Myst. (Surtees), 150. Lett us ryn fote hote.

5

1470–85.  Malory, Arthur, IX. xxviii. They chalengyd sire launcelot foote hote.

6

1513.  Douglas, Æneis, I. Prol. 287.

        I knaw quhat payne is to follow him fute haite,
Albeit thou think my sang intricaite.
    Ibid., XI. xvi. 37.
  Vnder the montane law thar stude fute hoit
A byng of erth.

7

1576.  Turberv., Venerie, 138.

        And from those cruell curres, and braynesicke bauling Tikes,
Which vowe foote hote to followe me, bothe ouer hedge and dykes.

8

1570–80.  North, Plutarch (1676), 415. Following him foot-hot, as we commonly say, before the barbarous People could take breath.

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