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spring verb (past tense sprang or (US) sprung, past participle sprung, present participle springing) 1 intrans to leap with a sudden quick launching action. 2 intrans to move suddenly and swiftly, especially from a stationary position • sprang into action. 3 to set off (a trap, etc) suddenly. 4 to fit (eg a mattress) with springs. 5 (also spring something on someone) to present or reveal something suddenly and unexpectedly • sprang the idea on me without warning. 6 slang to engineer the escape of (a prisoner) from jail. 7 to jump over something • sprang the fence. 8 a intrans said of wood or something wooden, eg a plank, mast, etc: to split, crack or become warped; b to split, crack or warp (wood or something wooden, eg a plank, mast, etc). noun 1 a a metal coil that can be stretched or compressed, and which will return to its original shape when the pull or pressure is released, especially one where this can be done at a controlled rate so that it can be used to turn a mechanism, eg in a clock, watch, etc; b a similar device that is designed to absorb shock waves, eg in the shock absorbers of some motor vehicles, or to make seats, beds, etc comfortable and bouncy. 2 any place where water emerges from underground and flows on to the Earth's surface or into a body of water such as a lake. 3 (also Spring) the season between winter and summer, when most plants begin to grow, and usually thought of in the N hemisphere as consisting of the months from March to May inclusive, and in the S hemisphere as September to November. See also vernal. c an early stage of something • in the spring of her career. 4 a sudden vigorous leap. 5 a the ability of a material to return rapidly to its original shape after a distorting force, such as stretching, bending or compression, has been removed • The elastic has lost its spring; b a lively bouncing or jaunty quality • a spring in his step. springless adj. springlike adj. spring a leak said of a boat, bucket, etc: to develop a hole so that water can flow in or out. spring to mind to come into someone's thoughts immediately or suddenly • His name doesn't spring to mind.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon springan.

spring back to return quickly to the original position.

spring from somewhere to develop or originate from (a place, etc) • an idea that had sprung from one of his students.

spring to something to come or rise to it, especially suddenly or quickly • A beautiful smile sprang to her lips.

spring up to appear or come into being suddenly • New houses sprang up.

spring verb (past tense sprang or (US) sprung, past participle sprung, present participle springing) 1 intrans to leap with a sudden quick launching action. 2 intrans to move suddenly and swiftly, especially from a stationary position • sprang into action. 3 to set off (a trap, etc) suddenly. 4 to fit (eg a mattress) with springs. 5 (also spring something on someone) to present or reveal something suddenly and unexpectedly • sprang the idea on me without warning. 6 slang to engineer the escape of (a prisoner) from jail. 7 to jump over something • sprang the fence. 8 a intrans said of wood or something wooden, eg a plank, mast, etc: to split, crack or become warped; b to split, crack or warp (wood or something wooden, eg a plank, mast, etc). noun 1 a a metal coil that can be stretched or compressed, and which will return to its original shape when the pull or pressure is released, especially one where this can be done at a controlled rate so that it can be used to turn a mechanism, eg in a clock, watch, etc; b a similar device that is designed to absorb shock waves, eg in the shock absorbers of some motor vehicles, or to make seats, beds, etc comfortable and bouncy. 2 any place where water emerges from underground and flows on to the Earth's surface or into a body of water such as a lake. 3 (also Spring) the season between winter and summer, when most plants begin to grow, and usually thought of in the N hemisphere as consisting of the months from March to May inclusive, and in the S hemisphere as September to November. See also vernal. c an early stage of something • in the spring of her career. 4 a sudden vigorous leap. 5 a the ability of a material to return rapidly to its original shape after a distorting force, such as stretching, bending or compression, has been removed • The elastic has lost its spring; b a lively bouncing or jaunty quality • a spring in his step. springless adj. springlike adj. spring a leak said of a boat, bucket, etc: to develop a hole so that water can flow in or out. spring to mind to come into someone's thoughts immediately or suddenly • His name doesn't spring to mind.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon springan.

spring back to return quickly to the original position.

spring from somewhere to develop or originate from (a place, etc) • an idea that had sprung from one of his students.

spring to something to come or rise to it, especially suddenly or quickly • A beautiful smile sprang to her lips.

spring up to appear or come into being suddenly • New houses sprang up.

spring verb (past tense sprang or (US) sprung, past participle sprung, present participle springing) 1 intrans to leap with a sudden quick launching action. 2 intrans to move suddenly and swiftly, especially from a stationary position • sprang into action. 3 to set off (a trap, etc) suddenly. 4 to fit (eg a mattress) with springs. 5 (also spring something on someone) to present or reveal something suddenly and unexpectedly • sprang the idea on me without warning. 6 slang to engineer the escape of (a prisoner) from jail. 7 to jump over something • sprang the fence. 8 a intrans said of wood or something wooden, eg a plank, mast, etc: to split, crack or become warped; b to split, crack or warp (wood or something wooden, eg a plank, mast, etc). noun 1 a a metal coil that can be stretched or compressed, and which will return to its original shape when the pull or pressure is released, especially one where this can be done at a controlled rate so that it can be used to turn a mechanism, eg in a clock, watch, etc; b a similar device that is designed to absorb shock waves, eg in the shock absorbers of some motor vehicles, or to make seats, beds, etc comfortable and bouncy. 2 any place where water emerges from underground and flows on to the Earth's surface or into a body of water such as a lake. 3 (also Spring) the season between winter and summer, when most plants begin to grow, and usually thought of in the N hemisphere as consisting of the months from March to May inclusive, and in the S hemisphere as September to November. See also vernal. c an early stage of something • in the spring of her career. 4 a sudden vigorous leap. 5 a the ability of a material to return rapidly to its original shape after a distorting force, such as stretching, bending or compression, has been removed • The elastic has lost its spring; b a lively bouncing or jaunty quality • a spring in his step. springless adj. springlike adj. spring a leak said of a boat, bucket, etc: to develop a hole so that water can flow in or out. spring to mind to come into someone's thoughts immediately or suddenly • His name doesn't spring to mind.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon springan.

spring back to return quickly to the original position.

spring from somewhere to develop or originate from (a place, etc) • an idea that had sprung from one of his students.

spring to something to come or rise to it, especially suddenly or quickly • A beautiful smile sprang to her lips.

spring up to appear or come into being suddenly • New houses sprang up.