Springy

a. [f. SPRING sb.¹ and v.¹]

  † 1.  Growing in the season of spring. Obs.^–1

1593.  Q. Eliz., Boeth., I. metr. vi. 16. Nor seake not thou with gredy hand The springy Palmes [L. vernos palmites] to weld. [Cf. SPRINGINESS 2 b.]

  2.  a. Characterized by the presence of springs of water.

1641.  Best, Farm. Bks. (Surtees), 4. Lowe, moist, and springy groundes are the best to increase milke in an ewe.

1733.  W. Ellis, Chiltern & Vale Farm., 262. It will greatly improve springy, or over-wet Grounds, if we first drain them.

1799.  [A. Young], Agric. Lincoln., 245. Many similar springy sides of hills are to be met with all the way to Ranby.

1853.  Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., XIV. I. 36. Occasional parts of the field were found springy and full of water.

1865.  Mrs. Whitney, Gayworthys, xxvi. (1879), 250. A huge, dry slippery log that lay over a springy spot.

  b.  Coming from springs. rare^–1.

1653.  Blithe, Eng. Improver Impr., 19. That thou maist goe under that … springie moysture that breeds and feeds the Rush.

  3.  Endowed with spring or elasticity.

1660.  Boyle, New Exp. Phys. Mech., i. 27. Though the Air were granted to consist of Springy Particles. Ibid. (1685), Effects Motion, ii. 14. Which depends chiefly upon the Celerity of the springy Corpuscles of the Air.

1709.  Floyer, Cold Bathing, I. iv. 93. The Animal Spirits being compressed, are more lively, springy, and fitter for Motion.

1734.  Phil. Trans., XXXVIII. 414. Her Hair was long and springy as that of a living Person.

1786.  Med. Comment., II. 105. The tumor … was a little springy.

1817.  Keats, Sleep & Poetry, 95. A laughing schoolboy … Riding the springy branches of an elm.

1839.  Fr. A. Kemble, Resid. in Georgia (1863), 36. Moss … as light as horse-hair, as springy, and elastic.

1887.  Rider Haggard, Allan Quatermain, 67. A light but exceedingly tough native wood, something like English ash, only more springy.

  b.  Of the muscles or body, or of persons, etc., with reference to these.

1776.  Mickle, trans. Camoens’ Lusiad, 454. Their springy shoulders stretching to the blow.

1822.  Scott, Peveril, ii. He satisfied himself … that though her little frame was slight, it was firm and springy.

1837.  Fraser’s Mag., XVI. 367. The prompt equerry had led the springy coursers to the gate.

1871.  L. Stephen, Playgr. Eur. (1894), xiii. 324. His muscles feel firm and springy.

  c.  Elastic to the tread.

1797.  Coleridge, This lime-tree bower my prison, 7. Friends, whom I never more may meet again On springy heath.

1875.  W. S. Hayward, Love agst. World, 13. Away they thundered over the springy turf.

1886.  Cornh. Mag., July, 58. The stage is … very ‘springy,’ a condition designed to help acrobatic performances.

  4.  Marked or characterized by spring, elasticity or resilience: a. In general use.

1669.  W. Simpson, Hydrol. Chym., 93. The springy motion of the animal spirits.

1672–3.  Grew, Anat. Pl., Roots, II. (1682), 82. The Aer being of an Elastick or Springy Nature.

1710.  T. Fuller, Pharm. Extemp., 249. It … roborates the Springey Tone of the Lungs.

1741.  A. Monro, Anat. Bones (ed. 3), 171. In raising the Trunk, these Cartilages will assist by their springy Force.

1837.  G. P. R. James, Phil. Augustus, I. ii. There was a springy vigour in the atmosphere, as if the wind itself were young.

1888.  Rutley, Rock-Forming Min., 193. Then drive a needle, by a sharp, springy tap…, into the mica.

1893.  Brit. Jrnl. Photogr., XL. 745. Resisting with all its springy power.

  b.  esp. Of the bearing or movements of persons or animals.

1818.  Sporting Mag., II. 166. His attitude was springy, and ready for quick action.

1820.  Scott, Monast., xxxii. The springy step … reminded Henry Warden of Halbert.

1889.  ‘R. Boldrewood,’ Robbery under Arms, xx. Rainbow [a horse] sailed off with his beautiful easy springy stride.