Word of the Day

: August 4, 2009

tantivy

adverb tan-TIV-ee

What It Means

: in a headlong dash : at a gallop

tantivy in Context

Once the school bell sounded signaling dismissal, the children rose from their desks and headed tantivy for the exits.

Did You Know?

"Tantivy" is also a noun meaning "a rapid gallop" or "an impetuous rush." Although its precise origin isn't known, one theory has it that "tantivy" represents the sound of a galloping horse's hooves. The noun does double duty as a word meaning "the blare of a trumpet or horn." The second use probably evolved from confusion with "tantara," a word for the sound of a trumpet that came about as an imitation of that sound. Both "tantivy" and "tantara" were used during foxhunts; in the heat of the chase people may have jumbled the two.