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v. sprang (sprăng) or sprung (sprŭng), sprung, spring·ing, springs v.intr. 1. To move upward or forward in a single quick motion or a series of such motions; leap: The goat sprang over the log. 2. To move suddenly, especially because of being resilient or moved by a spring: I let the branch spring forward. The door sprang shut. 3. To start doing something suddenly: The firefighters sprang into action. 4. a. To appear or come into being quickly: New businesses are springing up rapidly. b. To issue or emerge suddenly: A cry sprang from her lips. A thought springs to mind. c. To arise from a source; develop: Their frustration springs from a misunderstanding. See Synonyms at stem1. 5. To extend or curve upward, as a rafter or arch. 6. To become warped, split, or cracked. Used of wood. 7. To move out of place; come loose, as parts of a mechanism. 8. Slang To buy something or pay an expense: He offered to spring for the dinner. v.tr. 1. To cause to leap, dart, or come forth suddenly: The hound sprang a quail. 2. To release from a checked or inoperative position: spring a trap. 3. To present or disclose unexpectedly or suddenly: "He sprung on the world this novel approach to political journalism" (Curtis Wilkie). 4. Slang To cause to be released from prison or other confinement. 5. a. To cause to warp, split, or crack, as a mast. b. To have (a mast, for example) warp, split, or crack. n. 1. An elastic device, such as a coil of wire, that regains its original shape after being compressed or extended. 2. a. Elasticity; resilience: a mattress with a lot of spring. b. Energetic bounce: a spring to one's step. 3. The act or an instance of jumping or leaping. 4. A usually rapid return to normal shape after removal of stress; recoil: the spring of a bow. 5. A small stream of water flowing naturally from the earth. 6. A source, beginning, or motive: "The giver herself may not be perfectly clear about the springs of her action" (Margaret Visser). 7. a. The season of the year between winter and summer, during which the weather becomes warmer and plants revive, extending in the Northern Hemisphere from the vernal equinox to the summer solstice and popularly considered to include the months of March, April, and May. In the Southern Hemisphere austral spring includes September, October, and November. b. A time of growth and renewal. 8. A warping, bending, or cracking, as that caused by excessive force. 9. Architecture The point at which an arch or vault rises from its support. adj. Idiom: 1. Of or acting like a spring; resilient. 2. Having or supported by springs: a spring mattress. 3. a. Relating to or occurring in spring: spring showers; spring planting. b. Grown during the season of spring: spring crops. spring a leak To start leaking suddenly: The boat sprang a leak. My balloon has sprung a leak. [Middle English springen, from Old English springan. N., Middle English springe, from Old English spring, wellspring.] |
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