volt

noun

the SI unit of electromotive force, the difference of potential that would carry one ampere of current against one ohm resistance.

late 19th century: named after A. Volta (see Volta, Alessandro).

noun

variant spelling of volte.

verb

make a quick movement to avoid a thrust.

late 17th century: from French volter (see volte).

1. a sudden quick jump or other movement to escape a thrust, especially a swinging round of the rear leg to turn the body sideways.
2. a movement performed in dressage and classical riding, in which a horse describes a circle of 6 yards diameter.

late 17th century (as a fencing term): from French, from Italian volta ‘a turn’, from volgere ‘to turn’. volte (sense 2 of the noun) dates from the early 18th century.