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| spring [ spring ] |
verb (3rd person present singular springs, present participle springing, past sprang [ sprang ], past participle sprung [ sprung ]) |
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| Definition: |
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1. intransitive verb move suddenly in single movement: to move rapidly upwards or forwards in a single movement or in a series of rapid movements
  He sprang to his feet.
The lid sprang open.
She sprang to my defence.
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2. transitive verb leap over something: to leap over a barrier
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3. intransitive verb rapidly resume original position: to move back rapidly to an original position after being forced in another direction
A branch sprang back and hit me in the face.
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4. intransitive verb emerge rapidly: to appear or come into existence quickly
There are new houses springing up all around the village.
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5. intransitive verb come from somebody's lips: to be uttered, especially as a sudden and almost involuntary reaction to something
A cry of rage sprang from his lips.
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6. intransitive verb originate from something: to originate from a particular source
His behaviour seems to spring from an innate sense of insecurity.
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7. intransitive verb be descended: to be descended from a person or family
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8. transitive verb make something operate: to operate a device or trap by releasing a mechanism that was held in check
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9. transitive and intransitive verb detonate mine: to explode or detonate a mine, or be detonated
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10. transitive verb fit something with springs: to provide something, e.g. a vehicle or piece of furniture with springs
(
usually passive
)
a sprung floor
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11. intransitive verb jump out of place: to move suddenly out of place, or come suddenly loose, within a mechanism
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12. transitive and intransitive verb warp or split: to crack, split, or warp, or cause wood to do this
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13. transitive verb suddenly reveal something to somebody: to make something known to somebody, or present somebody with something, unexpectedly or suddenly
(
informal
)
You can't just spring a decision like that on me!
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14. transitive verb get somebody out of prison: to release somebody from prison or help somebody escape from prison
(
slang
)
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15. intransitive verb Australia pay for something: to pay for something, usually on behalf of another person
(
slang
)
I'll spring for lunch.
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16. transitive and intransitive verb hunting move animal from cover: to move an animal or bird out into the open during a hunting expedition, or be moved in this way
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17. intransitive verb architecture rise: to extend upwards from a base, e.g. from the top part of a column
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noun (plural springs) |
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| Definition: |
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1. coil of metal: a resilient metal coil that will store energy when compressed and release energy when returning to its original shape. Use: for cushioning, in clockwork.
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2. ability to regain shape: the ability of an object to revert rapidly to its original position after being extended, compressed, or placed under tension
a mattress with a lot of spring left in it
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3. onward or upward leap: a rapid forward or upward movement
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4. season of year: the season of the year between winter and summer during which many plants bring forth leaves and flowers. It runs from March to May in the northern hemisphere, and from September to November in the southern hemisphere.
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5. time of renewal: a time of new growth and regeneration
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6. water emerging from underground: a source of water that flows out of the ground as a small stream or pool
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7. origin of something: a source from which something, e.g. a character trait, a feeling, or a situation, proceeds or develops
(
literary
)
(
often used in the plural
)
the springs of her ambition
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8. warping or bending: warping, cracking, or bending, especially when caused by great force
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9. meteorology
Same as spring tide (sense 1)
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adjective |
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| Definition: |
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1. happening in springtime: relating to, occurring in, or appropriate to the season of spring
spring fashions
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2. grown in springtime: normally grown or growing in the season of spring
spring flowers
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3. full of springs: having or containing springs, especially for cushioning or as part of a clockwork mechanism
a spring mattress
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4. recoiling: acting like a spring in being held back then quickly releasing energy
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| [ Old English springan< Indo-European, 'rapid movement'] |
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