spring*/*/

[sprɪŋ] noun I

1) [C/U] the season between winter and summer

The garden is so beautiful in spring.[/ex]

2) [C] a place where water flows up from under the ground and forms a small stream or pool

3) [C] a long thin piece of metal that is twisted into the shape of a COIL that quickly returns to its original shape after you stop stretching it

4) [C] a quick jump forward or up

II

(past tense sprang [spræŋ] ; past participle sprung [sprʌŋ] ) verb

spring [sprɪŋ]

1) to jump or move quickly and with a lot of energy in a particular direction

The young man turned to hit him, but Corbett sprang back.[/ex]

Robert sprang to his feet (= stood quickly) to shout at the referee.[/ex]

The door sprang open, and Jeremy appeared.[/ex]

2) to perform an action quickly and with energy or force

‘Let's get going,' my father cried, springing into action.[/ex]

‘She was just trying to help!' said Eric, springing to her defence.[/ex]

3) to happen or appear somewhere suddenly or unexpectedly

Tears sprang to his eyes as he thought of Helen.[/ex]

•

spring a leak — to crack or break so that water or another liquid can get in or out[/ex]

[i]The boat sprang a leak and quickly sank.[/ex]

spring to life — to begin to be active[/ex]

The game finally sprang to life in the second half.[/ex]

spring to mind — if something springs to mind, you suddenly remember it[/ex]

- spring from sth

- spring sth on sb

- spring up