ho t key (hot keys ) N‑COUNT A hot key is a key, or a combination of keys, on a computer keyboard that you can press in order to make something happen, without having to type the full instructions. [COMPUTING ]
hot|line /hɒ tla I n/ (hotlines ) also hot line
1 N‑COUNT A hotline is a phone line that the public can use to contact an organization about a particular subject. Hotlines allow people to obtain information from an organization or to give the organization information. □ [+ for ] …a telephone hotline for gardeners seeking advice.
2 N‑COUNT A hotline is a special, direct phone line between the heads of government in different countries. □ [+ between ] They have discussed setting up a military hotline between the two countries.
ho t link (hot links ) N‑COUNT A hot link is a word or phrase in a hypertext document that can be selected in order to access additional information. [COMPUTING ]
hot|ly /hɒ tli/
1 ADV [ADV with v] If people discuss, argue, or say something hotly , they speak in a lively or angry way, because they feel strongly. □ The bank hotly denies any wrongdoing.
2 ADV [ADV with v] If you are being hotly pursued, someone is trying hard to catch you and is close behind you. □ He'd snuck out of America hotly pursued by the CIA.
hot|plate /hɒ tple I t/ (hotplates )
1 N‑COUNT A hotplate is a flat surface, usually on top of a cooker or stove, that you heat in order to cook food on it. [mainly BRIT ]
2 N‑COUNT A hotplate is a portable device that you use for cooking food or keeping it warm.
hot|pot /hɒ tpɒt/ (hotpots ) also hot-pot N‑VAR A hotpot is a mixture of meat and vegetables cooked slowly in liquid in the oven. [mainly BRIT ] □ …lamb hotpot.
ho t po|ta |to (hot potatoes ) N‑COUNT If you describe a problem or issue as a hot potato , you mean that it is very difficult and nobody wants to deal with it. [INFORMAL ]
ho t rod (hot rods ) N‑COUNT A hot rod is a fast car used for racing, especially an old car fitted with a new engine. [INFORMAL ]
ho t seat PHRASE If you are in the hot seat , you are responsible for making important and difficult decisions. [INFORMAL ] □ He is to remain in the hot seat as chief executive.
hot|shot /hɒ tʃɒt/ (hotshots ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] If you refer to someone as a hotshot , you mean they are very good at a particular job and are going to be very successful. □ …a bunch of corporate hotshots.
ho t spot (hot spots ) also hotspot
1 N‑COUNT You can refer to an exciting place where there is a lot of activity or entertainment as a hot spot . [INFORMAL ] □ …a popular and lively package tour hotspot.
2 N‑COUNT You can refer to an area where there is fighting or serious political trouble as a hot spot . [JOURNALISM ] □ There were many hot spots in the region, where fighting had been going on.
ho t stu ff N‑UNCOUNT If you think that someone or something is hot stuff , you find them exciting or sexually attractive. [INFORMAL ] □ His love letters were hot stuff, apparently.
ho t-te mpered ADJ If you describe someone as hot-tempered , you think they get angry very quickly and easily.
ho t tub (hot tubs ) N‑COUNT A hot tub is a very large, round bath which several people can sit in together.
ho t-wa ter bot|tle (hot-water bottles ) also hot water bottle N‑COUNT A hot-water bottle is a rubber container that you fill with hot water and put in a bed to make it warm.
ho t-wi re (hot-wires , hot-wiring , hot-wired ) VERB If someone, especially a thief, hot-wires a car, they start its engine using a piece of wire rather than the key. □ [V n] A youth was inside the car, attempting to hot-wire it.
hou|mous /huː məs/ also humous , hummus N‑UNCOUNT Houmous is a smooth food made from chick peas which people usually eat with bread or vegetables.
hound /haʊ nd/ (hounds , hounding , hounded )
1 N‑COUNT A hound is a type of dog that is often used for hunting or racing.
2 VERB If someone hounds you, they constantly disturb or speak to you in an annoying or upsetting way. □ [V n] Newcomers are constantly hounding them for advice.
3 VERB [usu passive] If someone is hounded out of a job or place, they are forced to leave it, often because other people are constantly criticizing them. □ [be V -ed + out of/from ] There is a general view around that he has been hounded out of office by the press.
hour ◆◆◆ /aʊə r / (hours )
1 N‑COUNT An hour is a period of sixty minutes. □ They waited for about two hours. □ I only slept about half an hour that night. □ …a twenty-four hour strike.
2 N‑PLURAL People say that something takes or lasts hours to emphasize that it takes or lasts a very long time, or what seems like a very long time. [EMPHASIS ] □ Getting there would take hours.
3 N‑SING A clock that strikes the hour strikes when it is exactly one o'clock, two o'clock, and so on.
4 N‑SING You can refer to a particular time or moment as a particular hour . [LITERARY ] □ [+ of ] …the hour of his execution.
5 N‑COUNT If you refer, for example, to someone's hour of need or hour of happiness, you are referring to the time in their life when they are or were experiencing that condition or feeling. [LITERARY ] □ [+ of ] …the darkest hour of my professional life.