‘A spring which comes into action only after heavy rains’ (Webster). Also fig.
1642. Rogers, Naaman, To Rdr. All he hath is drawn from a land-spring of naturall parts and gifts.
1675. E. W[ilson], Spadacr. Dunelm., 15. Such are only Land-springs, and in no sort to be called perpetual Springs.
1774. G. White, Selborne, 14 Feb. Landsprings, which we call levants.
1824. Miss Mitford, Village, Ser. I. (1863), 37. Our land-springs were dried up: our wells were exhausted!
1898. Watts-Dunton, Aylwin (1900), 109/1. Enormous masses of the cliff newly disintegrated by the landsprings.
Hence Land-springy a., full of land-springs.
1767. J. Bush, Hibernia Cur. (1769), 80. In very moist, land-springy grounds.
