Spring

Spring Spring (spr[i^]ng), v. i. [imp. {Sprang} (spr[a^]ng) or {Sprung} (spr[u^]ng); p. p. {Sprung}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Springing}.] [AS. springan; akin to D. & G. springen, OS. & OHG. springan, Icel. & Sw. springa, Dan. springe; cf. Gr. spe`rchesqai to hasten. Cf. {Springe}, {Sprinkle}.] [1913 Webster] 1. To leap; to bound; to jump. [1913 Webster]

The mountain stag that springs From height to height, and bounds along the plains. --Philips. [1913 Webster]

2. To issue with speed and violence; to move with activity; to dart; to shoot. [1913 Webster]

And sudden light Sprung through the vaulted roof. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

3. To start or rise suddenly, as from a covert. [1913 Webster]

Watchful as fowlers when their game will spring. --Otway. [1913 Webster]

4. To fly back; as, a bow, when bent, springs back by its elastic power. [1913 Webster]

5. To bend from a straight direction or plane surface; to become warped; as, a piece of timber, or a plank, sometimes springs in seasoning. [1913 Webster]

6. To shoot up, out, or forth; to come to the light; to begin to appear; to emerge; as a plant from its seed, as streams from their source, and the like; -- often followed by up, forth, or out. [1913 Webster]

Till well nigh the day began to spring. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

To satisfy the desolate and waste ground, and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth. --Job xxxviii. 27. [1913 Webster]

Do not blast my springing hopes. --Rowe. [1913 Webster]

O, spring to light; auspicious Babe, be born. --Pope. [1913 Webster]

7. To issue or proceed, as from a parent or ancestor; to result, as from a cause, motive, reason, or principle. [1913 Webster]

[They found] new hope to spring Out of despair, joy, but with fear yet linked. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

8. To grow; to thrive; to prosper. [1913 Webster]

What makes all this, but Jupiter the king, At whose command we perish, and we spring? --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

{To spring at}, to leap toward; to attempt to reach by a leap.

{To spring forth}, to leap out; to rush out.

{To spring in}, to rush in; to enter with a leap or in haste.

{To spring on} or {To spring upon}, to leap on; to rush on with haste or violence; to assault. [1913 Webster]