spring
/sprɪŋ/
noun
Origin
Proto-Germanic
*springan — to move rapidly, leap, burst forth
Overview
Meaning Now
- The season after winter and before summer, in which vegetation begins to appear.
- A resilient device, typically a metal coil, that recovers its shape after being compressed or extended.
- A natural source of water where it flows to the surface of the earth from below.
Literal older meaning
a leap, burst, or rapid movement
Language path
Proto-Germanic → Old English → English
Earliest form
springan
Earliest period
Old English
Journey
The term reflects the Germanic concept of sudden vitality. The connection between the season and the water source stems from the perception of nature 'leaping' back into life or water 'leaping' from the ground.
Evolution
- Proto-Germanic
*springan
“to leap, spring up”
- Old English
springan
“to spring, leap, burst forth”
Strong verb.
- Middle English
springe
“the season of new growth; a water source”
Semantic narrowing and broadening.
- Modern English
spring
“season, elastic device, water source”
Standardized spelling.
Connections
Word parts
spring
root
rapid upward or outward movement
Related across languages
German
springen
to jump
Dutch
springen
to jump
Related words
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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.