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somersault
or som·er·set sum·mer·sault, sum·mer·set
[ suhm-er-sawlt ]
/ ˈsʌm ərˌsɔlt /
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noun
an acrobatic movement, either forward or backward, in which the body rolls end over end, making a complete revolution.
such a movement performed in the air as part of a dive, tumbling routine, etc.
a complete overturn or reversal, as of opinion.
verb (used without object)
to perform a somersault.
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Origin of somersault
1520–30; <Middle French sombresaut, alteration of sobresault; compare Old Provençal sobre over (<Latin super), saut a leap (<Latin saltus)
Words nearby somersault
someday, somedeal, somehow, someone, someplace, somersault, Somerset, Somerset House, Somerset Island, Somersetshire, Somers Point
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use somersault in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for somersault
somersault
summersault
/ (ˈsʌməˌsɔːlt) /
noun
- a forward roll in which the head is placed on the ground and the trunk and legs are turned over it
- a similar roll in a backward direction
an acrobatic feat in which either of these rolls are performed in midair, as in diving or gymnastics
a complete reversal of opinion, policy, etc
verb
(intr) to perform a somersault
Word Origin for somersault
C16: from Old French soubresault, probably from Old Provençal sobresaut, from sobre over (from Latin super) + saut a jump, leap (from Latin saltus)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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