[f. SPRING v.1 So MDu. (and Du.), MLG., MHG. (and G.), Da. springer, MSw. (and Sw.) springare.]
I. † 1. A source or origin. Obs.–1
c. 1386. Chaucer, Pars. T., ¶ 387. Now ben thay cleped chiveteyns, for als moche as thay ben chief and springers of all othere synnes.
2. a. A growing tree or plant. rare–1.
1706. Evelyn, Sylva (ed. 4), IV. § 4. The young men and maidens … go out into the woods and copp’ces, cut down and spoil young springers to dress up their May-booth.
b. A variety of mushroom.
1866. Treas. Bot., 1088. Springers, a local name applied to the variety of Agaricus arvensis figured by Bulliard, and distinguished by its elongated pileus, tall stem, and thinner ring.
3. a. A fish that springs or leaps; now spec. a newly run salmon.
1753. Chambers’ Cycl., Suppl., Springer, in ichthyology a name given by authors to the grampus, or arca.
1853. Pappe, Edible Fishes C. Good Hope, 27. Mugil Multilineatus.… Springer; Leaping Mullet.
1886. Field, 23 Jan., 106/2. Only one succeeded in landing a fish, viz., Tom Murphy, who got a nice springer [sc. salmon], weighing 111/2 lb.
1893. Daily News, 23 Feb., 6/4. The newly run fish which the Irish fisherman calls a ‘springer.’
b. Zool. The springbok. Also springer antelope.
1781. Pennant, Quad., I. 82. The Springer Antelope … weighs about fifty pounds, and is rather lesser than a roebuck.
1785. G. Forster, trans. Sparrman’s Voy. Cape G. Hope, II. 139. This tract of country … harboured a considerable number of springers, quaggas, and hartbeests.
1827. Griffith, trans. Cuvier, IV. 208. The Springer Antelope … is the largest of a small subordinate group. Ibid. The Springer resembles the Dorcas of nomenclators, but is nearly a third larger in size.
4. One who springs or leaps. Also with advs.
1775. Ash, Springer,… one that leaps.
1796. Morse, Amer. Geog., II. 254. They are also called springers, or leapers, from the agility with which they leap, rather than walk.
1828. Southey, Lett. (1856), IV. 89. Which is being interpreted, the Leaper, or the Springer.
1856. N. & Q., Ser. II. II. 36/1. ‘Springers’ is the name given to the 62nd regiment.
fig. 1894. Drummond, Ascent of Man, vii. 345. They were only offspring, springers off.
b. dial. A youth.
a. 1825. in Forby, Voc. E. Anglia.
5. Arch. The support from which an arch springs; the impost at each end of an arch.
1611. Cotgr., Imposte,… the springer of an arched gate, the moulding that bears th’ arch.
1751. Labelye, Westm. Bridge, 75. The N.W. Springers of the middle Arch.
1772. C. Hutton, Bridges, 60. The height of the pier to the springer 18 feet.
1838. Civil Eng. & Arch. Jrnl., I. 127/2. A string-course or springer of stone for the abutments of cast-iron ribs which are to carry the crown of the arch.
a. 1878. Sir G. Scott, Lect. Archit. (1879), I. 60. The ribs, all meeting in a solid springer at the foot, brought down the pressure, and deposited it firmly upon the points of support.
6. a. A spring-hook.
1688. [see spring-hook s.v. SPRING sb.1 25 a].
b. A springe.
1813. Montagu, Suppl. Ornith. Dict., s.v. Woodcock, Springes or springers are usually set in moist places on the verge of woods.
7. A cow or heifer near to calving.
1844. [see SPRINGING vbl. sb.1 8].
1891. Australasian, 15 Aug., 320/4. A full number of cattle yarded for the week’s supply, comprising milkers, springers, and dry cows.
II. 8. a. ‘One who rouses game’ (J.).
b. A small variety of spaniel.
1808. Sporting Mag., XXX. 41. A beautiful old English Springer.
1829. Glover, Hist. Derby, I. 136. The Springer is a lively animal, and very expert in raising woodcocks and snipes from their haunts.
1845. Youatt, Dog, iii. 45. The largest and best breed of springers is said to be in Sussex.
c. 1880. Cassell’s Nat. Hist., II. 132. The Springer is used for the same purpose as the Cocker, but is a larger, stronger, and steadier Dog.
attrib. 1886. York Herald, 6 July, 3/6. A springer puppy … was playing near the house.
9. Springer-up (see quot. 1859). slang.
1851. Mayhew, Lond. Labour, I. 51/2. One of these [tailors] is considered somewhat ‘slop,’ or as a coster called him, a ‘springer-up.’
1859. Slang Dict., 99. Springer-up, a tailor who sells low priced ready made clothing…. The clothes are said to be ‘sprung up,’ or ‘blown together.’
10. One who fires or sets off a mine.
1861. G. Meredith, Evan Harrington, xxxi. The springers of the mine about to explode.
