Meaning of spring in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions
  3. Noun
    1. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /sprɪŋ/

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    UK accent

  1. Verb

    spring

    Etymology

    Old English spring (noun), springan (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch and German springen. Early use in the senses ‘head of a well’ and ‘rush out in a stream’ gave rise to the figurative use ‘originate’

    Definitions

    1. move forward by leaps and bounds

    Examples

    • « The horse bounded across the meadow »
    • « The child leapt across the puddle »
    • « Can you jump over the fence? »

    Derived terms

  2. 2. develop into a distinctive entity

    Examples

    • « our plans began to take shape »

    Derived terms

  3. 3. spring back

    Examples

    • « spring away from an impact »
    • « The rubber ball bounced »
    • « These particles do not resile but they unite after they collide »

    Derived terms

  4. 4. produce or disclose suddenly or unexpectedly

    Examples

    • « He sprang a new haircut on his wife »
  5. 5. develop suddenly

    Examples

    • « The tire sprang a leak »
  6. 6. produce or disclose suddenly or unexpectedly

    Examples

    • « He sprang these news on me just as I was leaving »

  7. Noun

    spring

    Definitions

    1. the season of growth

    Examples

    • « the emerging buds were a sure sign of spring »
    • « he will hold office until the spring of next year »
  8. 2. a natural flow of ground water
  9. 3. a metal elastic device that returns to its shape or position when pushed or pulled or pressed

    Examples

    • « the spring was broken »
  10. 4. a light springing movement upwards or forwards

    Derived terms

  11. 5. the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length

    Derived terms

  12. 6. a point at which water issues forth

Famous quotes

  • « The very idea of true patriotism is lost, and the term has been prostituted to the very worst of purposes. A patriot, sir! Why, patriots spring up like mushrooms! »
    Robert Walpole
  • « People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring. »
    Rogers Hornsby
  • « Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush. »
    Doug Larson
  • « My dreams came true while wearing the opening look from the spring/summer 2010 Dior ready-to-wear collection. I will never forget how special I felt opening John Galliano's show, like I was living a dream. »
    Karlie Kloss
  • « Nothing is so beautiful as spring - when weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush Thrush's eggs look little low heavens, and thrush through the echoing timber does so rinse and wring the ear, it strikes like lightning to hear him sing. »
    Gerard Manley Hopkins

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