I. ˈsprinj noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English springe, sprenge; akin to Old English springan to spring — more at spring
1. : a noose fastened to an elastic body and drawn close with a sudden spring to catch a bird or other animal
2. : snare , trap
the herd mind was always laying springes to catch the unwary — V.L.Parrington
II. verb
( springed ; springed ; springeing ; springes )
transitive verb
: to catch in a springe : ensnare
intransitive verb
: to set a springe
III. “, ˈsprinzh adjective
dialect England : supple , agile