English

Adverb

tantivy ‎(comparative more tantivy, superlative most tantivy)

1. (obsolete) At full tilt

   to ride tantivy

   • 1737, John Ozell, ed., The Works of Francis Rabelais, M.D., fourth book, J. Brindley and C. Corbett, page 213:

     Fryar John began to paw, neigh and whinny at the Snout's end, as one ready to leap, or at least to play the Ass, and get up and ride tantivy to the Devil like a Beggar on Horseback.

   • 2006, Dana Sobel, The Planets, Penguin, page 26:

     Indeed Mercury's proximity to the Sun dominates every condition of the planet's existence—not just its tantivy progress through space […]

Noun

tantivy ‎(plural tantivies)

1. (obsolete) A rapid gallop

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Cleveland to this entry?)

2. (informal) The sound of a hunting horn in imitation of a galloping horse
   • 1898, Joseph Jacobs, English Fairy Tales, David Nutt:

     Jack then placed himself on the opposite side of the pit, farthest from the giant’s lodging, and, just at the break of day, he put the horn to his mouth, and blew, Tantivy, Tantivy. This noise roused the giant.

Usage notes

• The sound of a hunting horn seems to be an erroneous use (according to the OED)