spring

Universal Words noun, verb noun season 1 [U,C] the season between winter and summer when plants begin to grow: flowers that bloom in spring / in the spring * He was born in the spring of 1944. * There's a feeling of spring in the air today. * spring flowers / weather twisted wire 2 [C] a twisted piece of metal that can be pushed, pressed or pulled but which always returns to its original shape or position afterwards: bed springs * The springs in the sofa have gone (= they no longer return to their original position). * She's full of energy, like a coiled spring. 3 [U] the ability of a spring to return to its original position: The mattress has lost its spring. water 4 [C] a place where water comes naturally to the surface from under the ground: a mountain spring * spring water cheerful quality 5 [U,sing.] a cheerful, lively quality: She walked along with a spring in her step. sudden jump 6 [C] a quick sudden jump upwards or forwards: With a spring, the cat leapt on to the table. IDIOMS see JOY verb (sprang ) (AmE also sprung, sprung) jump / move suddenly 1 [V] [usually +adv./prep.] (of a person or an animal) to move suddenly and with one quick movement in a particular direction: He turned off the alarm and sprang out of bed. * Everyone sprang to their feet (= stood up suddenly) when the principal walked in. * The cat crouched ready to spring. * The attacker sprang out at her from a doorway. * (figurative) to spring to sb's defence / assistance (= to quickly defend or help sb) 2 (of an object) to move suddenly and violently: [V, +adv./prep.] The branch sprang back and hit him in the face. * [V-ADJ] She turned the key and the lid sprang open. surprise 3 [VN] ~ sth (on sb) to do sth, ask sth or say sth that sb is not expecting: She sprang a surprise by winning the tournament. * I'm sorry to spring it on you, but I've been offered another job. appear suddenly 4 [V+adv./prep.] to appear or come somewhere suddenly: Tears sprang to her eyes. * He tried to bite back the words that sprang to his lips. free prisoner 5 [VN] (informal) to help a prisoner to escape: Plans to spring the hostages have failed. IDIOMS spring into action