Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A sudden descent of ice; an avalanche; figuratively, a sensation as of the sudden chill of piercing cold.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • There was a coldness in the very tone and manner of the man who had come for him that went like an ice-bolt to his heart, and with

    Choice Readings for the Home Circle Anonymous

  • The last vibration passes like an ice-bolt through my heart.

    The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 09, No. 51, January, 1862 Various

  • A dart, as of an ice-bolt, seemed to arrest the blood in Lady Isabel's veins.

    East Lynne, or, The Earl's Daughter 1864

  • A dart, as of an ice-bolt, seemed to arrest the blood in Lady Isabel's veins.

    East Lynne Henry Wood 1850

  • But -- and that fearful but, chilled me, like an ice-bolt.

    Pelham — Complete Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton 1838

  • The words went like an ice-bolt through Edward's heart, and even by the torchlight the tormentor could see his victim grew livid.

    Handy Andy, Volume 2 — a Tale of Irish Life Samuel Lover 1832

  • Had an ice-bolt shot to my heart, it could not have chilled me more effectually.

    The Crayon Papers Washington Irving 1821

  • But when the patient is seized with great pain at the stomach with the sensation of coldness, which they have called an ice-bolt, this is a primary affection of the stomach, and destroys the patient in a few hours, owing to the torpor or inaction of that viscus so important to life.

    Zoonomia, Vol. II Or, the Laws of Organic Life Erasmus Darwin 1766

  • The sickness passed off like the preceding pain; but the sensation had of late been often felt by Brandon, and disregarded, -- for few persons were less afflicted with the self-torture of hypochondria; but now, that night, whether it was more keen than usual, or whether his thought had touched on the string that jars naturally on the most startling of human anticipations, we know not, but, as he resumed his seat, the idea of his approaching dissolution shot like an ice-bolt through his breast.

    Paul Clifford — Volume 07 Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton 1838

  • The sickness passed off like the preceding pain; but the sensation had of late been often felt by Brandon, and disregarded, -- for few persons were less afflicted with the self-torture of hypochondria; but now, that night, whether it was more keen than usual, or whether his thought had touched on the string that jars naturally on the most startling of human anticipations, we know not, but, as he resumed his seat, the idea of his approaching dissolution shot like an ice-bolt through his breast.

    Paul Clifford — Complete Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton 1838

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