springe

American  

[sprinj] / sprɪndʒ /

noun

1. a snare for catching small game.

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verb (used with object)

springed, springing

1. to catch in a springe.

verb (used without object)

springed, springing

1. to set a springe or springes.

springe British  

/ sprɪndʒ /

noun

1. a snare set to catch small wild animals or birds and consisting of a loop attached to a bent twig or branch under tension

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verb

1. (intr) to set such a snare

2. (tr) to catch (small wild animals or birds) with such a snare

Etymology

Origin of springe

1200–50; Middle English, variant of sprenge a snare, literally, something that is made to spring, derivative of sprengen to make spring, Old English sprengan, causative of springan to spring

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

springe springed springing

Ohé, and why should I not lay an open and frank springe for you?

From Domnei A Comedy of Woman-Worship by James Branch Cabell

Springe, sprinj, n. a snare with a spring-noose: a gin.—v.t. to catch in a springe.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

“Never tell me of your points of honour,” said Touchwood, raising his voice altogether above the general tone of polite conversation—“all humbug, Captain MacTurk—mere hair-traps to springe woodcocks—men of sense break through them.”

From St. Ronan's Well by Sir Walter Scott

The slighter the strain on the springe, the more delicately can its mechanism be set.

From The Art of Travel Shifts and Contrivances Available in Wild Countries by Sir Francis Galton

"Snipes!" says Bridget; "deft art thou, fosterling, to take them without either springe or stonebow, and they all flittering like butterflies on a March day."

From The Sundering Flood by May Morris

They had wintered it and springed it, and clung to it through bright days and dark.

From Four Girls and a Compact by Annie Hamilton Donnell

You have springed your dottrel, I find, and what is the consequence?—why, that there will be hue and cry after you presently.

From Redgauntlet by Sir Walter Scott

It’s springed a leak, an’ the water’s got down my neck.”

From Children of the Mist by Eden Phillpotts

Although somewhat highly springed, the vehicle is so well arranged and padded, that the occupants are seldom hurt by striking against the sides with rough jolting, unless quite helpless.

From Surgical Experiences in South Africa, 1899-1900 Being Mainly a Clinical Study of the Nature and Effects of Injuries Produced by Bullets of Small Calibre by George Henry Makins

Witness the beautiful description: "All to once the nor'easter springed out from the land, an' afore us could down-haul the mainsail, the sea wer feather-white an' skatting in over the bows."

From A Poor Man's House by Stephen Sydney Reynolds

And the superteam springing up to challenge the Knicks’ supremacy exists only because the greatest player of his generation is willing to play on the cheap.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2026

But as soon as the cast is set in motion, the overriding impression is that of a manifesto springing into a college vaudeville.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026

Thousands of Russian workers have spent years building and installing equipment, with a residential complex, shops and restaurants springing up around them.

From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026

Starting in a 4-2-4 formation again, players hold their positions before springing to press certain opponents when the moment is right.

From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026

"Aaaaaand cut!" cried the director, springing out of her chair.

From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein

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