headspring

American  

[hed-spring] / ˈhɛdˌsprɪŋ /

noun

1. the fountainhead or source of a stream.

2. the source of anything.

3. an acrobatic feat similar to a handspring, except that the head as well as the hands touch the surface before the spring back to a standing position.

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headspring British  

/ ˈhɛdˌsprɪŋ /

noun

1. a spring that is the source of a stream

2. a spring using the head as a lever from a position lying on the ground

3. rare  a source

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Etymology

Origin of headspring

First recorded in 1350–1400, headspring is from the Middle English word hedspring. See head, spring

Example Sentences

The ultra-elevated public awareness was the headspring from which all of golf’s blessings flowed — more fans, more golfers, more courses, more equipment sales.

From New York Times

It was in those times surrounded by a moat, fed by the headspring of the Wandle; but the moat is gone, and the first few yards of the Wandle are nowadays made to flow underground.

From Project Gutenberg

Now, the divine recognition of believers' children, as standing in a special covenanted relation with God, is the headspring of infant dedication by the use of a rite.

From Project Gutenberg

Which of them that you are the only “headspring of all laws”? 

From Project Gutenberg