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

Example Sentences

I clearly remember looking with envy and admiration at Bewicke’s woodcuts of traps, e.g. that of the woodcock springe, and another of a sieve propped up over grain sprinkled as bait.

From Springtime and Other Essays by Darwin, Francis, Sir

Yes," said Brigitta, "it was found last autumn in the throstle springe.

From The Indian Lily and Other Stories by Lewisohn, Ludwig

When May comes, Whan that I here the smale foules singe And that the floures ginne for to springe, Farwel my studie, as lasting that sesoun.

From Chaucer and His Times by Hadow, Grace E.

I have run into a springe like a woodcock, and into such a noose or trap as a fool only would have fallen into; one of my own setting.

From Hamlet by Kean, Charles John

"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 Morris, May