knee-sprung
Americanadjective
Etymology
Origin of knee-sprung
An Americanism dating back to 1870–75
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The smaller of the two—but not by much—was a sloppy blond boy, rosy-cheeked and gum-chewing, with a relentlessly cheery demeanor and his fists thrust deep in the pockets of his knee-sprung trousers.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
As the horses entered the stretch Geers spoke to his knee-sprung bay and he responded as only Robert J. could.
From Jimmie Moore of Bucktown by Trotter, Melvin Earnest
I have cured knee-sprung horses with this oil frequently.
From The Arabian Art of Taming and Training Wild and Vicious Horses by Kincaid, P. R.
An hour later he emerges, well fed, revives his knee-sprung horse, lights a fresh cigarette, cracks his whip like a package of torpedoes, and goes clattering off in search of a customer.
From The Real Latin Quarter by Smith, F. Berkeley (Frank Berkeley)
Horses that are weak-kneed because of poor conformation, or knee-sprung, are inclined to stumble.
From Common Diseases of Farm Animals by Craig, R. A., D. V. M.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
