LEAP

I. verb (~ed or ~t; ~ing) Etymology: Middle English lepen, from Old English hlēapan; akin to Old High German hlouffan to run Date: before 12th century intransitive verb to spring free from or as if from the ground ; jump , 2. to pass abruptly from one state or topic to another, to act precipitately , transitive verb to pass over by ~ing , ~er noun II. noun Date: before 12th century 1. an act of ~ing ; spring , bound , b. a place ~ed over or from, the distance covered by a ~, 2. a sudden passage or transition , a choice made in an area of ultimate concern