Also 5–6 -te. [ad. L. tumultus (u-stem), f. tumēre to swell: cf. F. tumulte (12th c. in Godef., Compl.; in OF. also temulte, 1201 in Hatz.-Darm.).]
1. Commotion of a multitude, usually with confused speech or uproar; public disturbance; disorderly or riotous proceeding.
1412–20. Lydg., Chron. Troy, II. 5235. Al tumulte stinted, and silence Was þoruȝ þe pres, to ȝif hym audyence.
1562. Reg. Privy Council Scot., I. 209. Ane seditious persone and rasar of tumult.
1615. G. Sandys, Trav., 8. To avoid occasions of tumult.
a. 1718. Prior, Henry & Emma, 332. When the loud Tumult speaks the Battel nigh.
1838. Lytton, Leila, II. i. The tumult of the Camp was to him but a holiday exhibition.
b. (with pl.) An instance of this; a popular commotion or disturbance; a riot, an insurrection.
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 22 b. It is like to styre vp suche tumultes in Germany.
1641. Evelyn, Diary, 8 Oct. The late tumults in Belgia.
1775. Johnson, Tax. no Tyr., 68. The tumults of a conflagration.
1838. Thirlwall, Greece, II. xii. 155. A tumult … in which the populace set fire to Milo’s house.
† c. transf. A disorderly crowd, a mob. rare.
1628. Gaule, Pract. The. (1629), 189. The Tumult shall know [that, etc.].
1648. Eikon Bas., vi. 38. To see the barbarous rudenesse of those Tumults who resolved they would take the boldnesse to demand any thing.
2. gen. Commotion, agitation, disturbance; disorderly or noisy movement or action. Also pl.
1580. Sidney, Ps. XXXV. viii. Oh! on my soul let not these tumults hitt.
1591. Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., I. iv. 98. It Thunders and Lightens…. What tumult’s in the Heauens?
1662. Charleton, Myst. Vintners (1675), 178. The tumult will … be recomposed, the liquor refined.
1781. Cowper, Retirement, 176. Some … are averse to noise And hate the tumult half the world enjoys.
1844. Disraeli, Coningsby, I. iii. His heart beat with tumult.
1846. Trench, Mirac., vi. (1862), 190. The fiercest tumult of the elements allays itself at last.
3. fig. Great disturbance or agitation of mind or feeling; confused and violent emotion.
[1595. Shaks., John, IV. ii. 247. Hostilitie, and ciuill tumult reignes Between my conscience and my Cosins death.]
1663. Bp. Patrick, Parab. Pilgr., xxxi. (1687), 378. Such contrary passions … I cannot overcome … without suffering a great tumult and disorder.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 264, ¶ 1. A long Tumult of Passions which naturally rise in a Lover’s Heart.
1777. Burke, Corr. (1844), II. 199. The wild tumult of joy that the news … caused.
1844. Thirlwall, Greece, VIII. lx. 31. A tumult of grief and indignation.
