Search results for 'bounce':

bounce verb (bounced, bouncing) 1 intrans said of a ball, etc: to spring or jump back from a solid surface. 2 to make (a ball, etc) spring or jump back from a solid surface. 3 intrans (often bounce about or up) to move or spring suddenly • Sparky • bounced about the room excitedly. 4 (often bounce in or out) to rush noisily, angrily or with a lot of energy, etc, in the specified direction • bounced out in a temper. 5 tr & intr, colloq said of a cheque: to return or be returned without being paid, because of lack of funds in a bank account. 6 colloq, especially US to turn out, eject or dismiss someone (from a place or job, etc). noun 1 the ability to spring back or bounce well; springiness. 2 colloq energy and liveliness. 3 a jump or leap. 4 the act of springing back from a solid surface.
ETYMOLOGY: 16c in sense 2, etc; 13c as bunsen in obsolete sense 'to beat or thump': from Dutch bonzen.