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

See Examples For:

springe springed springing

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

Fro the seconde, as bokes sein, The moiste dropes of the reyn Descenden into Middilerthe, And tempreth it to sed and Erthe, And doth to springe grass and flour.

From Confessio Amantis, or, Tales of the Seven Deadly Sins by Macaulay, G. C. (George Campbell)

This was a springe to catch the "wimmen folks, God bless them."

From Eugene Field, a Study in Heredity and Contradictions — Volume 2 by Thompson, Slason

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

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

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 Reynolds, Stephen Sydney

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 Makins, George Henry

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 Scott, Walter, Sir

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

From Children of the Mist by Phillpotts, Eden

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

From Four Girls and a Compact by Donnell, Annie Hamilton

Communities have lashed out at data centers springing up across the country, fueling an anti-AI movement.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

But there’s a strong chance something will go wrong during many of those vacations, which makes a convincing case for buying a travel-insurance policy — especially if you’ll be springing for a pricey trip.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 9, 2026

The field is more crowded now, with Bowlero, Top Golf, and other eat-and-play concepts springing up in many of the same areas.

From Slate ● Jun. 25, 2026

While luxury hotels are springing up in Ashgabat and Avaza, the main seaside resort on the Caspian Sea, the rest of the country is poorly equipped for visitors.

From Barron's ● Jun. 23, 2026

Ma said, springing from her hiding spot, her short auburn hair still in pin curls.

From "Monday's Not Coming" by Tiffany D. Jackson