Emily Dickinson Lexicon
Definition for HOIST
HOIST, v.t. [originally hoise; but corrupted, perhaps beyond remedy. G. hissen; D. hyssen; Sw. hissa; Dan. hisser; Fr. isser; Arm. içza; Sp. izar; Port. içar. This appears by the German to be radically the same word at heat, – which see.]
- To raise; to lift. We'll quickly hoist duke Humphrey from his seat. Shak. In popular language, it is a word of general application. But the word has two appropriate uses, one by seamen and the other by milkmaids, viz.
- To raise, to lift or bear upward by means of tackle; and to draw up or raise, as a sail along the masts or stays, or as a flag, though by a single block only. Hoist the main-sail. Hoist the flag. Mar. Dict.
- To lift and move the leg backward; a word of command used by milkmaids to cows, when they wish them to hit and set back the right leg.
Return to page 74 of the letter “H”.