Definition of: spring

(spring) v. sprang or sprung, sprung, spring·ing v.i.
1. To move or rise suddenly and rapidly; leap; dart: He sprang across the creek; The cat sprang into the air.
2. To move suddenly as by elastic reaction; snap; The jaws of the heavy trap sprang shut.
3. To move as if with a leap: An angry retort sprang to his lips.
4. To rise up suddenly, as birds from cover.
5. To work or snap out of place, as a mechanical part.
6. To become warped or bent, as boards.
7. To explode: said of a mine.
8. To rise above surrounding objects.
9. To come into being: New towns have sprung up.
10. To originate; proceed, as from a source.
11. To develop; grow, as a plant.
12. To be descended: He springs from good stock.
13. Poetic To begin to appear, as light or dawn.
—v.t.
14. To cause to spring or leap.
15. To cause to act, close, open, etc., unexpectedly or suddenly, as by elastic reaction: to spring a trap.
16. To cause to happen, become known, or appear suddenly: to spring a surprise.
17. To leap over; vault.
18. To start (game) from cover; flush.
19. To explode (a mine).
20. To warp or bend; split.
21. To cause to snap or work out of place.
22. To force into place, as a beam or bar.
23. To suffer (a leak).
24. Slang To obtain the release of (a person) from prison or custody. See synonyms under LEAP, RISE.
—noun
1. Mech. An elastic body or contrivance that yields under stress, and returns to its normal form when the stress is removed.
2. Elastic quality or energy.
3. The act of flying back from a position of tension; recoil.
4. An energy or power; a cause of action; impelling motive.
5. The act of leaping up or forward suddenly; a jump; bound.
6. The season in which vegetation starts anew; in the north temperate zone, the three months of March, April, and May; in the astronomical year, the period from the vernal equinox to the summer solstice.
7. A flow or fountain, as of water; hence, any source or origin of continued supply; a flow of curative water.
8. A crack or break, as of a plank, beam, or spar, or a thing sprung or warped.
9. Archit. The commencement of curvature in an arch.
10. A hinge. See illustration under HINGE.
11. Scot. A quick, lively tune. See synonyms under BEGINNING, CAUSE, SOURCE.
—adjective
1. Pertaining to the season of spring.
2. Resilient; acting like or having a spring.
3. Hung on springs. [OE springan]
SPRING
a. Compression coil.
b. Double spiral.
c. Extension coil.