I. ˈsprān noun
( -s )
Etymology: origin unknown
1. : a sudden or violent twist or wrench of a joint causing the stretching or tearing of ligaments and often rupture of blood vessels with hemorrhage into the tissues
2. : the condition resulting from a sprain that is usually marked by swelling, inflammation, hemorrhage, and discoloration — compare strain
3. also spraing -āŋ : internal brown spot of potatoes
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to weaken (a joint or ligament) by sudden and violent twisting or wrenching : stretch (ligaments) injuriously without dislocation of the joint — compare strain
III. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: back-formation from spreined, sprent, past participle of obsolete sprenge to sprinkle — more at sprent
archaic : to sprinkle (seed) in sowing