What is "sprang"

Spring \Spring\ (spr[i^]ng), v. i. [imp. Sprang (spr[a^]ng) or Sprung (spr[u^]ng); p. p. Sprung; p. pr. & vb. n. Springing.] [AS. springan; akin to D. & G. springen, OS. & OHG. springan, Icel. & Sw. springa, Dan. springe; cf. Gr. spe`rchesqai to hasten. Cf. Springe, Sprinkle.]

1. To leap; to bound; to jump.

   The mountain stag that springs From height to height, and bounds along the plains.
   --Philips.

2. To issue with speed and violence; to move with activity; to dart; to shoot.

   And sudden light Sprung through the vaulted roof.
   --Dryden.

3. To start or rise suddenly, as from a covert.

   Watchful as fowlers when their game will spring.
   --Otway.

4. To fly back; as, a bow, when bent, springs back by its elastic power.

5. To bend from a straight direction or plane surface; to become warped; as, a piece of timber, or a plank, sometimes springs in seasoning.

6. To shoot up, out, or forth; to come to the light; to begin to appear; to emerge; as a plant from its seed, as streams from their source, and the like; -- often followed by up, forth, or out.

   Till well nigh the day began to spring.
   --Chaucer.

   To satisfy the desolate and waste ground, and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth.
   --Job xxxviii. 2

7. Do not blast my springing hopes.
   --Rowe.

   O, spring to light; auspicious Babe, be born.
   --Pope.

   7. To issue or proceed, as from a parent or ancestor; to result, as from a cause, motive, reason, or principle.

   [They found] new hope to spring Out of despair, joy, but with fear yet linked.
   --Milton.

8. To grow; to thrive; to prosper.

   What makes all this, but Jupiter the king, At whose command we perish, and we spring?
   --Dryden.

   To spring at, to leap toward; to attempt to reach by a leap.

   To spring forth, to leap out; to rush out.

   To spring in, to rush in; to enter with a leap or in haste.

   To spring on or To spring upon, to leap on; to rush on with haste or violence; to assault.

Sprang \Sprang\ (spr[a^]ng), imp. of Spring.

past tense of spring (v.).

vb. (en-simple past of: spring)

1. n. the season of growth; "the emerging buds were a sure sign of spring"; "he will hold office until the spring of next year" [syn: springtime]

2. a natural flow of ground water [syn: fountain, outflow, outpouring, natural spring]

3. a metal elastic device that returns to its shape or position when pushed or pulled or pressed; "the spring was broken"

4. a light springing movement upwards or forwards [syn: leap, leaping, saltation, bound, bounce]

5. the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length [syn: give, springiness]

6. a point at which water issues forth

7. [also: sprung, sprang]

1. v. move forward by leaps and bounds; "The horse bounded across the meadow"; "The child leapt across the puddle"; "Can you jump over the fence?" [syn: jump, leap, bound]

2. develop into a distinctive entity; "our plans began to take shape" [syn: form, take form, take shape]

3. spring back; spring away from an impact; "The rubber ball bounced"; "These particles do not resile but they unite after they collide" [syn: bounce, resile, take a hop, bound, rebound, recoil, reverberate, ricochet]

4. produce or disclose suddenly or unexpectedly; "He sprang a new haircut on his wife"

5. develop suddenly; "The tire sprang a leak"

6. produce or disclose suddenly or unexpectedly; "He sprang these news on me just as I was leaving"

7. [also: sprung, sprang]

See spring

Sprang is an ancient method of constructing fabric that has a natural elasticity. Its appearance is similar to netting, but unlike netting sprang is constructed entirely from warp threads. Archaeological evidence indicates that sprang predates knitting; the two needlework forms bear a visible resemblance and serve similar functions but require different production techniques.

Although examples of sprang have been unearthed from as early as the bronze age, sprang was almost entirely undocumented in written records until the late nineteenth century when archaeological finds generated interest in Europe. Museum examples of sprang had been misidentified as knitting or lace until discoveries of ancient examples prompted reexamination of newer pieces. Subsequently, sprang has been identified in a variety of cultures and traditions across several continents. Its practice as a folk art waned during the twentieth century and sprang traditions have disappeared in most locales. Knitting has largely supplanted sprang.