hunt's-up

English

Etymology

From "The hunt is up", the name of an old hunting song.

Noun

hunt's-up (plural hunt's-ups)

1. (obsolete) A tune played on the horn very early in the morning to call out the hunters; hence, any rousing sound or call.
   • c. 1591–1595 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Romeo and Ivliet”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene v]:

     Since arme from arme that voyce doth vs affray,
     Hunting thee hence, with Hunts-vp to the day

   • 1605, Michael Drayton, The Third Eclogue:

     Time plays the hunt's-up to thy sleepy head.

2. (obsolete) Any disturbing sound or noise; a racket, a disturbance.
   • 1664, Charles Cotton, Scarronides:

     I'll play theſe Rake-hells such a Hunts up, / As were they ſhee's would turn their ⸺ up.

Anagrams

• Pushtun