Definition of "pelt" in English

noun

1. The skin of an animal with the hair or wool on; either a raw or undressed hide, or a skin preserved with the hair or wool on it (sometimes worn as a garment with minimal modification).

2. (also figuratively) The skin of an animal (especially a goat or sheep) with the hair or wool removed, often in preparation for tanning.

3. The fur or hair of a living animal.

   • Near-synonym: coat

4. (chiefly Ireland, humorous, informal) Human skin, especially when bare; also, a person's hair.

5. A garment made from animal skins.

6. The body of any quarry killed by a hawk; also, a dead bird given to a hawk for food.

verb

1. To remove the skin from (an animal); to skin.

2. Chiefly followed by from: to remove (the skin) from an animal.

3. (obsolete, rare) To remove feathers from (a bird).

verb

1. To bombard (someone or something) with missiles.

   • The children are pelting each other with snowballs.
   • They pelted the attacking army with bullets.

2. To force (someone or something) to move using blows or the throwing of missiles.

3. Of a number of small objects (such as raindrops), or the sun's rays: to beat down or fall on (someone or something) in a shower.

4. Chiefly followed by at: to (continuously) throw (missiles) at.

   • The children pelted apples at us.

5. To repeatedly beat or hit (someone or something).

6. To assail (someone) with harsh words in speech or writing; to abuse, to insult.

7. Especially of hailstones, rain, or snow: to beat down or fall forcefully or heavily; to rain down.

   • It’s pelting down out there!

8. To move rapidly, especially in or on a conveyance.

   • I pelted across to where my family was sitting.
   • The bus went pelting down the hill.

9. Chiefly followed by at: to bombard someone or something with missiles continuously.

10. To throw out harsh words; to show anger.

noun

1. A beating or falling down of hailstones, rain, or snow in a shower.

2. (archaic except Ireland) A blow or stroke from something thrown.

3. A verbal insult; a jeer, a jibe, a taunt.

4. A fit of anger; an outburst, a rage.