Also 6 vaute. [f. VAULT v.2, or, in sense 2, ad. F. volte.]
1. An act of vaulting; a leap or spring; † spec. of harts (see quot. 1576).
1576. Turberv., Venerie, 45. It is a pleasure, to beholde them when they goe to Rutte and make their vaute.
1610. G. Fletcher, Christ’s Tri., I. xl. So on a wither’d tree he fairly set him, And helpt him fit the rope,… So thear he stands, readie to hell to make his vault.
1630. J. Taylor (Water P.), Navy Land Ships, Wks. I. 93/1. What Necromanticke spells are Rut, Vault, Slot, Pores, and Entryes, Abatures, and Foyles.
1728. Chambers, Cycl., Vault is also used for the Manages practis’d on the wooden Horse, to learn to mount and unmount with Ease and Expedition.
1868. W. R. Smith, in Life (1912), iii. 94. A popular exercise is the spring vault.
1893. Outing, XXII. 153/2. The world’s record in the fence vault, and … the pole vault.
1901. Westm. Gaz., 28 May, 2/1. M. Brocas fell to the ground, after his vault.
† 2. = VOLTE (in the manege). Obs.
1728. Chambers, Cycl., s.v., There are some Vaults wherein the Horse makes two parallel Circles.
