noun

spring

spring, coil, source

Flowers bloom in the spring.

Flowers bloom in the spring.

The mattress has broken springs.

The mattress has broken springs.

We drank from a mountain spring.

We drank from a mountain spring.

((in (the) spring)) the season between winter and summer. I love Paris in the spring.

((a spring)) a twisted piece of metal. The toy works with a spring.

((a spring)) a place where water comes from the ground. This is a natural spring.

Synonyms: (season) springtime; (water source) source, well

From Old English 'springan' meaning 'to leap, burst forth'. This connects all meanings: the season when plants 'spring' up, a coil that 'springs' back, and water that 'springs' from the ground.

The core idea is 'bursting forth'. Plants spring from the ground, a coil springs back, and water springs from the earth.

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