/ ˈsʌməsɔːlt; NAmE -mərs-/ noun , verb
■ noun
a movement in which sb turns over completely, with their feet over their head, on the ground or in the air :
to do / turn a somersault
He turned back somersaults.
( figurative )
Her heart did a complete somersault when she saw him.
■ verb
[ v , usually + adv. / prep. ] to turn over completely in the air :
The car hit the kerb and somersaulted into the air.
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (as a noun): from Old French sombresault , from Provençal sobresaut , from sobre above + saut leap.