colt

n. a young male horse, usually under four years old.

n. a young male horse, typically under the age of four; the term is specific to sex and age.

“The farmer watched the young colt running across the field with its mother.”

“The stable manager decided to separate the yearling colt from the fillies to prevent any early aggression during feeding times.”

n. a young or inexperienced person, especially in a sport or a job.

n. a youthful or inexperienced person; a novice. Often used in sports contexts to describe junior players.

“The team signed a talented young colt who had never played in the major leagues.”

“Despite being a mere colt in the world of international diplomacy, the young attaché handled the negotiations with surprising maturity.”

Literary

n. a famous brand of handgun, often seen in old Western movies.

n. a revolver or pistol manufactured by Colt's Manufacturing Company, historically significant in the American West.

“The cowboy carried a heavy Colt in a leather holster on his hip.”

“The museum's collection includes several ivory-handled Colts that were reportedly used during the frontier era.”

American English

n. a short piece of rope used in the past to punish sailors.

n. a short length of knotted rope formerly used by petty officers for summary corporal punishment.

“The sailor feared the officer would use the colt if he didn't work faster.”

“Historical naval records indicate that the use of the colt was a common, if brutal, method of maintaining discipline among the crew.”

Archaic · Technical

v. to run and play in a lively way, like a young horse.

v. to frisk, frolic, or behave in a wanton or lively manner reminiscent of a young horse.

“The children were colting about in the garden during the summer party.”

“The poet described the youth of the village colting through the meadows without a care for the coming winter.”

Archaic · Literary