n.
Pronunciation: ' spri ŋ
Function: verb
Inflected Form: sprang \ ' spra ŋ \ or sprung \ ' spr ə ŋ \ ; sprung ; spring · ing \ ' spri ŋ -i ŋ \
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English springan; akin to Old High German springan to jump and perhaps to Greek sperchesthai to hasten
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1 a (1) : DART , SHOOT <sparks sprang out from the fire> (2) : to be resilient or elastic also : to move by elastic force <the lid sprang shut> b : to become warped
2 : to issue with speed and force or as a stream <tears spring from our eyes>
3 a : to grow as a plant b : to issue by birth or descent < sprang from the upper class> c : to come into being : ARISE <towns sprang up across the plains> d archaic : DAWN e : to begin to blow ― used with up <a breeze quickly sprang up>
4 a : to make a leap or series of leaps < spring ing across the lawn> b : to leap or jump up suddenly < sprang from their seats>
5 : to stretch out in height : RISE
6 : PAY ― used with for <I'll spring for the drinks>
transitive verb
1 : to cause to spring
2 a : to undergo or bring about the splitting or cracking of <wind sprang the mast> b : to undergo the opening of (a leak)
3 a : to cause to operate suddenly < spring a trap> b : to apply or insert by bending c : to bend by force
4 : to leap over
5 : to produce or disclose suddenly or unexpectedly
6 : to make lame
7 : to release or cause to be released from confinement or custody < sprung them from jail>
synonyms SPRING , ARISE , RISE , ORIGINATE , DERIVE , FLOW , ISSUE , EMANATE , PROCEED , STEM mean to come up or out of something into existence. SPRING implies rapid or sudden emerging <an idea that springs to mind>. ARISE and RISE may both convey the fact of coming into existence or notice but RISE often stresses gradual growth or ascent <new questions have arisen > <slowly rose to prominence>. ORIGINATE implies a definite source or starting point <the fire originated in the basement>. DERIVE implies a prior existence in another form <the holiday derives from an ancient Roman feast>. FLOW adds to SPRING a suggestion of abundance or ease of inception <words flowed easily from her pen>. ISSUE suggests emerging from confinement through an outlet <blood issued from the cut>. EMANATE applies to the coming of something immaterial (as a thought) from a source <reports emanating from the capital>. PROCEED stresses place of origin, derivation, parentage, or logical cause <advice that proceeds from the best of intentions>. STEM implies originating by dividing or branching off from something as an outgrowth or subordinate development <industries stemming from space research>.