[leap] vb leaped or leapt ; leap.ing [ME lepen, fr. OE hleapan; akin to OHG hlouffan to run] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to spring free from or as if from the ground: jump "~ over a fence" "a fish ~s out of the water"
2. a: to pass abruptly from one state or topic to another b: to act precipitately "~ed at the chance" ~ vt: to pass over by leaping -- leap.er n
[2]leap n (bef. 12c) 1 a: an act of leaping: spring, bound b (1): a place leaped over or from (2): the distance covered by a leap
2. a: a sudden passage or transition "a great ~ forward" b: a choice made in an area of ultimate concern "a ~ of faith" -- by leaps and bounds : with extraordinary rapidity