leapn.1
/liːp/, U.S. /lip/ 1.
a. An act of leaping; a springing from the ground or other standing-place; a bound, jump, spring.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > upward movement > leaping, springing, or jumping > [noun] > a leap, spring, or jump
leapOE
startc1330
saulta1350
lope14..
launchc1440
sprenting?a1475
loup1487
springa1500
stenda1500
benda1522
sprenta1522
bounce1523
jump1552
sally1589
rise1600
bound1667
vault1728
sprinta1800
spang1817
spend1825
upleap1876
sprit1880
bunny hop1950
bunny-hop1969
OE Cynewulf Crist II 747 Swa we men sculon heortan gehygdum hlypum styllan of mægne in mægen, mærþum tilgan.
c1230 Hali Meid. 23 A muche lupe duneward.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1871) III. 55 And forto make þat good he lepe ouer þe wal at oo leepe.
a1400–50 Alexander 1761 Þou..maa þi lepis & þi laikis & quat þe liste ellis, As ratons or ruȝe myse in a rowme chambre.
a1420 T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum 3436 He at a leep was at hir and hir kyste.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur iii. v The herte lepte a grete lepe.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin x. 142 It is grete nede a man to go bak to recouer the better his leep.
1574 J. Baret Aluearie L 204 A leap or iump.
1660 F. Brooke tr. V. Le Blanc World Surveyed 184 They spring away with most stupendious leaps.
1700 J. Wallis in C. R. L. Fletcher Collectanea (1885) I. 318 Mr. Bosely [was] observed..to have leaped, at six continued leaps, one and twenty yards, three quarters and some odd inches.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 223. ¶4 Those who had taken this Leap were observed never to Relapse into that Passion.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth VI. 322 It sometimes happens, however, that they [sc. salmon] want strength to make the leap.
1825 Sporting Mag. 15 346 Our elders took leaps, now they are all jumps.
1833 Regulations Instr. Cavalry i. ii. 61 For the ‘Standing Leap’, bring the horse up to the bar at an animated walk... For the ‘Flying Leap’, the horse must not be hurried.
1867 M. E. Herbert Cradle Lands i. 7 The spot..from whence the Mameluke..took the famous leap on horseback.
b. transferred and figurative esp. An abrupt movement or change; a sudden transition. Also with an adverb, as leap-up.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > change to something else, transformation > sudden or complete change > [noun]
leapc1000
lope14..
revolution?a1439
reverse?1492
metamorphosis1548
transformation1581
earthquake1592
upside down1593
metamorphose1608
sea-changea1616
peritropea1656
transilience1657
transiliency1661
saltus1665
catastrophe1696
peristrophe1716
transiliency1769
upheaving1821
upset1822
saltation1844
shake1847
upheaval1850
cataclysm1861
shake-out1939
virage1989
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > suddenness > [noun] > sudden movement or change
leapc1000
the world > action or operation > continuing > progress, advance, or further continuance > [noun] > sudden, marked, or notable advance
shoot1752
leap-up1875
leap forward1961
c1000 Sax. Leechd. III. 264 De saltu lunæ... Þæt is ðæs monan hlyp for þan þe he oferhlypð ænne dæg.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 39 Þe heorte is a ful wilde beast & makeð moni Licht lupe as seið [seint gregori] Nichil corde fugacius.
c1400 Ywaine & Gaw. 72 Ful light of lepes has thou bene ay.
a1420 T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum 1767 And for-þi, sonë, wole I make a leepe ffrom hem [stories], and go wole I to þe empryse þat I first took.
1577–87 R. Holinshed Chron. (1808) IV. 653 Leaving the lord lieutenant for a while, we will give a little leape to actions of manhood against the enimie.
1592 F. Bacon Observ. Libel in Wks. (1826) V. 412 One Barrow..made a leap from a vain and libertine youth, to a preciseness in the highest degree.
1661 O. Felltham Resolves (rev. ed.) 238 'Tis justly matter of amazement, for a man in the leap of the one, or in the tumble of either of these, to retain a mind unaltered.
1701 J. Swift Disc. Contests Nobles & Commons iii. 27 Thus in a very few Years the Commons proceeded so far as to wrest even the Power of chusing a King, entirely out of the Hands of the Nobles; which was so great a Leap..that [etc.].
1856 L. H. Grindon Life (1875) i. 7 The leap of the stamens of the Kalmia from their niches in the corolla.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps ii. xi. 289 The boulders and débris..came in frequent leaps and rushes down the precipice.
1875 E. Dowden Shakespere: his Mind & Art 86 The energy, the leap-up, the direct advance of the will of Helena.
1899 A. M. Fairbairn Catholicism i. 89 Every attempt..to discover method and progress in creation, without leap or gap, violence or interference..was [etc.].
c. Phrases. a leap in the dark: a hazardous action undertaken in uncertainty as to the consequences. by leaps, by leaps and bounds: by sudden transitions; used esp. to express startling rapidity of advance or increase; leap forward: an advance of a marked or notable character.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > continuing > progress, advance, or further continuance > progress [phrase] > by sudden or rapid progress
by leaps and bounds1697
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > unreliability > [noun] > hazardous action
a leap in the dark1697
the world > action or operation > continuing > progress, advance, or further continuance > [noun] > sudden, marked, or notable advance
shoot1752
leap-up1875
leap forward1961
1697 J. Vanbrugh Provok'd Wife v. 73 So, Now I am in for Hobs's Voyage; a great Leap in the Dark.
1720 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad V. xxi. 353 High o'er the surging Tide, by Leaps and Bounds, He wades, and mounts; the parted Wave resounds.
1722 D. Defoe Moll Flanders 87 Make Matrimony like Death, be a Leap in the Dark.
1851 J. P. Nichol Archit. Heavens (ed. 9) 154 The telescope, in passing through it [the Milky Way], often goes by leaps from one cumulus to another.
1867 Ld. Derby in Parl. Deb. 3rd Ser. 189 952 No doubt we are making a great experiment, and ‘taking a leap in the dark’.
1885 Illustr. London News 8 Aug. 143/2 Electricity has been advanced ‘by leaps and bounds’.
1891 Gladstone in Star 11 Dec. 2/5 I shall proceed by skips and jumps; or, as it is the fashion to say now, by leaps and bounds.
1915 M. B. Lowndes Let. 10 Mar. (1971) 57 Everything is going up, in price, by leaps and bounds.
1940 P. G. Wodehouse Eggs, Beans & Crumpets 29 You doubled up when you won, thus increasing your profits by leaps and bounds.
1947 Forum (S. Afr.) 5 Apr. 5/2 The Afrikanerising of the cities..had gone ahead by leaps and bounds.
1954 T. S. Eliot Confidential Clerk ii. 63 I make decisions on the spur of the moment, But you'd never take a leap in the dark.
1961 Ann. Reg. 1960 170 The convention..would amount to a great ‘leap forward’ towards a virtual European federation.
1966 Performing Right Oct. 4 The leap forward of nearly 20 per cent in this revenue is a triumph for the skill and hard work of our administrative staff.
1973 Times 21 Mar. (China Trade Suppl.) p. xi/2 The back~yard steel furnaces that sprang up during the Great Leap Forward (1958–60).
d. Ability or inclination to leap.
ΚΠ
a1861 T. Winthrop John Brent xx. 219 Our horses were a part of ourselves. While we could go, they would go. Since the water, they were full of leap again.
2.
a. A leaping-place; something to be leaped over or from. Also, the place or distance leaped.Frequent in place-names, as Deerleap, Hindlip, Smuggler's Leap, Lover's Leap.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > high position > [noun] > high place or part > high place to be leaped from
leapc1275
lover's leap1711
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > horse racing > racecourse > [noun] > obstacles
leap1692
fence1839
water jump1840
flight1851
jump1858
oxer1859
showjump1884
pianoforte jump1908
pianoforte obstacle1909
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 965 Nu..haueð þat clif þare. nome on ælche leode þat þat weos Geomagoges lupe [c1300 Otho leope].
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) xiii. 56 Halfe a myle fra Nazareth es þe leep þat oure Lord leped fra þe Iews.
1540–2 Act 31 Hen. VIII c. 5 To make dere leapes and breakes in the sayde hedges and fences.
1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Henry VIII v. i. 140 You take a Precepit for no leape of danger, And woe your owne destruction. View more context for this quotation
1692 R. L'Estrange Fables lvii. 57 After they have carry'd their Riders safe over All Leaps.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 223. ¶4 This Place was therefore called the Lover's Leap.
1791 ‘G. Gambado’ Ann. Horsemanship vi. 26 The soil is pretty stiff, the leaps large and frequent.
1818 ‘W. H. Scott’ Brit. Field Sports 410 He ran his Horse at a Leap, which every one else in the Field refused.
b. salmon leap, a precipitous fall in a river (either natural or contrived artificially) over which salmon leap in ascending the river for breeding.
ΚΠ
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 369 In Irlond beeþ þre samoun lepes.
1661 R. Lovell Πανζωορυκτολογια, sive Panzoologicomineralogia 220 They [salmon] are taken at leapes.
1780 A. Young Tour Ireland i. 126 All the fisheries are his to the leap at Colraine.
3. Of animals: The action of leaping (the female).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > [noun] > sexual intercourse > specifically with a woman
womenOE
wivingc1300
leap1607
tillage1609
cuntc1664
rogering1788
cock1895
rooting1922
trim1955
coozea1968
stank1980
coochie1986
the world > animals > animal body > general parts > sexual organs and reproduction > [noun] > copulation > covering
covering1552
leap1607
supersaliency1646
service1696
insult1697
skip1844
1607 G. Markham Cavelarice i. 38 [They] being desirous to get into good races, are fayne to get leapes for their Mares, eyther by courtesie, bribes, or stealth.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis vi, in tr. Virgil Wks. 363 The rushing leap, the doubtful Progeny.
1708 London Gaz. No. 4428/16 A Dapple Grey Horse..to be had for a Guinea a Leap.
4. The sudden fall of a river to a lower level.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > water > waterfall > [noun]
linnc975
waterfallOE
fallc1350
spout1534
waterspout1560
overfall1596
force1600
sault1600
watershoot1669
cascade1671
leap1796
chute1805
water wall1847
1796 J. Sinclair Statist. Acct. Scotl. XVII. 611 Where the Esk..forms a linn or leap.
1809 A. Henry Trav. & Adventures Canada 16 The Sault de Saint-Louis..is highest of the saults, falls, or leaps, in this part of the Saint-Lawrence.
1843 J. Ruskin Mod. Painters I. 367 The quiet stream is a succession of leaps and pools.
1872 H. I. Jenkinson Guide Eng. Lake Distr. (ed. 6) 286 The water makes five or six leaps in its descent.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > family Felidae (feline) > [noun] > genus Panthera > panthera pardus (leopard or panther) > collectively
leap1486
1486 Bk. St. Albans F vj b A Lepe of Lebardis.
6. Mining. A fault or dislocation of strata. a leap up or leap down, one caused by upheaval or sinking of the strata.
ΚΠ
1747 W. Hooson Miners Dict. sig. L3 Leap..is when the Vein is thrown of from its perpendicular Course, at once into the Side; these Leaps never happen, but at some Way-board, or large Bed-joynt.
1855 J. R. Leifchild Cornwall: Mines & Miners 109 Vertical Intersections.—These are commonly called leaps, or throws.
1874 J. H. Collins Princ. Metal Mining (1875) Gloss. 136/2 at Fault. If [the displacement of strata is] upwards, a leap or upthrow; if downwards, a slide or downthrow.
7. Music. A passing from one note to another by an interval greater than a degree of the scale.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > pitch > interval > [noun] > passing more than one degree
skipping1566
leap1664
skip1730
1664 J. Playford Brief Introd. Skill Musick (ed. 4) i. 66 By the taking of the greater sixt, that falls by a leap.
1786 T. Busby Compl. Dict. Music Leaps. This word is properly applicable to any disjunct degree, but is generally used to signify a distance consisting of several intermediate intervals.
1889 E. Prout Harmony (ed. 10) vi. §164 A second inversion may be approached either by leap..or by step..from the root position of another chord.
Compounds
Also leap day n., leap year n.† leap-month n. Obsolete February of leap year.† leap-skip adj. Obsolete applied to the knight's move in chess.Apparently an isolated use.† leap-staff n. Obsolete a leaping-pole.
leap-Christian n. (see quot.).
ΚΠ
1647 J. Trapp Mellificium Theol. in Comm. Epist. & Rev. 684 Leap-Christians are not so much to be liked, that all on the sudden, of notorious profane become extremely precise and scrupulous.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > period > a month or calendar month > specific months > [noun] > February
Februaryc1225
leap-month1566
fill-dike1611
sprout-kale1778
fill-ditch1879
1566 W. Painter Palace of Pleasure I. vii. f. 22v The leape moneth, whiche is February.
1648 H. Hexham Groot Woorden-boeck De Schrickel-maendt, the Leape-month.
leap-ore n. ‘the most inferior quality of tin ore’ ( Cent. Dict.).
ΚΠ
1889 Cent. Dict. IV. (rev. ed.) Leap-ore.
leap pease n. ? parched-peas.
ΚΠ
1620 G. Markham Farewell to Husb. (1625) 137 The field Pease..are onely for boyling and making of leape Pease, or parching.
leap second n. [after leap day] a second which on a particular occasion is inserted into (or omitted from) a scale of reckoning time in order to bring it into correspondence with another scale.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > reckoning of time > [noun] > adjustments in calculations > leap second
leap second1971
1971 Nature 11 June 345/1 An adjustment will be made to all GMT time signal emissions on January 1, 1972, so that a GMT time of 0 h 0 m 0 s will correspond exactly to an IAT time of 0 h 0 m 10 s; thereafter ‘leap seconds’ will be inserted or omitted as necessary at the end of a particular GMT month... From then on, GMT will always be exactly 10 s slow compared with IAT. A so-called positive leap second will begin at 23 h 59 m 60 s on the last day of the month selected and end at 0 h 0 m 0 s on the first day of the next month; by contrast, if the leap second is negative, 23 h 59 m 58 s will be followed one second later by 0 h 0 m 0 s.
1972 Daily Tel. 28 Dec. 10/2 Shortly before 11 p.m. on Sunday (4 a.m. New Year's Day in Britain) technicians at the United States National Bureau of Standards in Boulder, Colorado, will add one leap second to America's atomic clock to correct it to match the Earth's rotation.
1973 Nature 21 Dec. 444/1 Currently, the Earth loses about 3 ms a day on Atomic Time, and the leap seconds are added where necessary..to keep ut and Atomic Time in close correspondence.
ΚΠ
a1649 W. Drummond Wks. (1711) 146 The Lady is..inhibited from the leap-skip Bound of the Knights.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > upward movement > leaping, springing, or jumping > [noun] > aids to leaping or jumping
risea1616
leap-staffc1626
springboard?1780
jumping-board1878
c1626 Dick of Devonshire (1955) 1668 One wth a loape staffe may leape over it.
Draft additions March 2009
leap of faith n. [compare post-classical Latin saltus fidei (12th cent.)] an act of accepting or believing something without evidence, as a demonstration of faith or confidence.
ΚΠ
1854 Churchman's Monthly Penny Mag. 8 40 He took the boldest leap of faith, and believed that Christ had wrought for him a finished salvation.
1889 Indiana School Jrnl. 34 673 The leap of faith which carries beyond the seen, the now and here, to that which lies out of the reach of observation.
1926 H. N. Wieman Relig. Experience & Sci. Method vi. 180 We may take the leap of faith, of course, and claim that there must be that outside the self which acts upon us, but it is a blind leap of faith.
1956 F. Copleston Contemp. Philos. xi. 197 Kierkegaard, for instance, makes the leap of faith, his thought leaping beyond the world and human life, as they are given in perception, to the affirmation of God, to whom reason does not lead.
2007 Mirror (Nexis) 14 Aug. (Sport section) 48 It is a massive leap of faith to believe that England can become the first nation in World Cup history to make a successful title defence.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1902; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
leapn.2
/liːp/, U.S. /lip/ 1. † b. Used locally as a measure; in Sussex, according to Ray, half a bushel. ? Obsolete.
a. A basket. Now dialect. Cf. seed-lip n.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > receptacle or container > basket > [noun]
teanela700
windlec725
spertc975
kipec1000
leapc1000
willyc1000
basketa1300
coopa1300
hoppera1300
ripc1300
skepc1340
coffinc1380
criba1387
skippetc1450
corfc1483
wisket1542
prickle1543
cleave1577
serpet1615
wicker1646
bascaud1647
shapeta1657
fender1682
canister1697
kist1724
calathus1753
voider1788
wick1802
skip1816
maeshie1822
c1000 Wulfstan Homilies 293 Ða bær man up of ðan ðe hi læfdon twelf leapas fulle.
a1250 Owl & Nightingale 359 Theȝ thu nime evere oth than lepe.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 19719 In a lep men lete him dun Vte ouer þe walles o þe tun.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 4486 A lepe..Wit bred þat i bar on mi heued.
a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Exod. ii. 3 Thanne sche took a leep of segge..and puttide the ȝong child with ynne.
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1874) V. 195 Moyses thabbot.. toke a lepe fulle of gravelle on his backe.
1495–6 in J. T. Fowler Extracts Acct. Rolls Abbey of Durham (1901) III. 653 Pro leippez et scotellez pro granario.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 238/2 Lepe or a basket, corbeille.
a1642 H. Best Farming & Memorandum Bks. (1984) 25 The other leape is to putte the worst lockes of wooll into.
a1825 R. Forby Vocab. E. Anglia (1830) Lep, lepe, a large deep basket.
ΚΠ
1277 Extent Manor of Cerring, Suss. in Du Cange at Lepa Et colliget de nucibus in bosco comini tertiam partem unius mensuræ, quæ vocatur Lepe, quod est tertia pars 2 bussellorum, et valet quadrantem.
1674 J. Ray S. & E. Countrey Words in Coll. Eng. Words 70 A Leap or Lib; Suss. Half a bushel.
2. A basket in which to catch or keep fish.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > fish-trap > [noun] > basket
bow-neta1000
leapc1000
weel1256
willow1385
pichea1398
cruive14..
creel1457
coop1469
butt1533
hive1533
wilger1542
fish-pota1555
pota1555
loup1581
leap weel1601
willy1602
putt1610
leap-head1611
weir1611
putcher1781
fish-coop1803
fishing box1861
crib1873
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > other fishing equipment > [noun] > basket for keeping live fish
leapc1000
coop1469
leap weel1601
leap-head1611
corfa1825
fish-car1883
c1000 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 167/14 Nassa, bogenet, uel leap.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 5352 In lepes & in coufles so moche viss hii ssolleþ hom bringe þat ech mon ssal wondry of so gret cacchinge.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Job xl. 26 Whether thou shalt fille nettis with his skyn, and the lep [a1425 L.V. leep] of fisshis with the hed of hym?
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 297/1 Leep, for fysshe kepynge, or takynge, nassa.
1481–90 Howard Househ. Bks. (Roxb.) 363 Item..for makenge of lepes and othir gere for the kechyn to kepe ynne eles ij. s. ix. d.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 287/2 Welle or lepe for fysshe, bouticle.
1533–4 Act 25 Hen. VIII c. 7 [No person shal take] in..any wele..lepe..or by any other engyne..the yonge frye..of any kynde of Salmon.
1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch Morals 218 Weaving them close together..after the maner of a fishers leape or weele net.
1652 W. Blith Eng. Improver Improved xxv. 171 The Osier..is of especiall use for..fishermen for making Leapes and instruments to catch fish in.
1873 Act 36 & 37 Victoria c. 71 §15 Except wheels or leaps for taking lamperns.
Compounds
attributive and in other combinations, as leap maker, leap weel; † leap-head n. Obsolete a weel.† leap-hole n. Obsolete (see quot. a1642).
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > manufacture of textile fabric > [noun] > manufacture of fabric from specific materials > manufacture of articles made from twigs, etc. > basket-making > one who
leap maker1360
pannier-maker1412
skepper1499
basket-maker1603
wand-weaver1896
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > fish-trap > [noun] > basket
bow-neta1000
leapc1000
weel1256
willow1385
pichea1398
cruive14..
creel1457
coop1469
butt1533
hive1533
wilger1542
fish-pota1555
pota1555
loup1581
leap weel1601
willy1602
putt1610
leap-head1611
weir1611
putcher1781
fish-coop1803
fishing box1861
crib1873
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > other fishing equipment > [noun] > basket for keeping live fish
leapc1000
coop1469
leap weel1601
leap-head1611
corfa1825
fish-car1883
1360–1 in J. T. Fowler Extracts Acct. Rolls Abbey of Durham (1899) II. 563 Joh' lepemaker pro 4 sportis pro bracina.., 2 scuteles, 2 flekes.., 8s. 4d.
1483 Cath. Angl. 213/2 A Lepe maker, cophinarius, corbio.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. 248 A wonderfull number of these Yeels..insomuch as in the leapweeles and weernets..there be found somtime a thousand of them wrapped together in one ball.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Mannequin,..also, a little basket, leape-head, or weele, made of bullrushes, and vsed by fishermen.
a1642 H. Best Farming & Memorandum Bks. (1984) 64 When..wee feare that it will heate in the mowe, then doe wee drawe up a leape aboute the middle of each room-stead, and soe by this meanes the stowme getteth a vent by the leap holes.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1902; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
leapv.
/liːp/, U.S. /lip/ a. intransitive. To run; to go hastily or with violence; to rush, to ‘throw oneself’. Also with adverbs, as forth, out. (In Old English, út hléapan = to escape.) Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swift movement in specific manner > move swiftly in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > move with impetuous speed
leapOE
swengec1000
swingOE
throwc1275
hurla1300
dashc1300
fling1300
stetec1330
lance?a1400
slinga1400
whirlc1400
wringc1400
dingc1450
whither1487
chop1555
to cast (also lay) one's heels in one's neck1599
clap1603
precipitate1622
teara1627
toss1727
to keep on at a score1807
whing1882
whirlwind1894
to go off full score1900
careen1923
OE Beowulf 864 Hwilum heaþorofe hleapan leton, on geflit faran fealwe mearas.
11.. Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1072 (MS. D.) Her Eadwine eorl & Morkere eorl hlupon ut & mislice ferdon on wuda.
11.. Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) anno 1087 Roger het an of heom se hleop into þam castele æt Norðwic.
a1225 Juliana 38 Þis eadie meiden..leop to ant lahte him.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 12400 Ȝif Arður ne leope [c1300 Otho nadde i-leope] to swulc hit a liun weore. and þas word seide.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 8170 Vor hor hors were al astoned..ac some stode..stille & some lepte her & þer.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2726 To hemward swide he lep.
c1330 Assump. Virg. (B.M. MS.) 613 To þe beere he cam lepand.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 240 Þo lhip op þe mayster and him keste.
1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. Prol. 94 Erchedekenes and Deknes..Beon lopen to londun.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 4541 Þe boteler to þe prisun lep.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) x. 242 Thai that neir enbuschit war Lap out.
1528 in State Papers Henry VIII (1836) IV. 493 The freindes of the said traiter are loppen to hym into Scotlaunde.
c1560 in J. Raine Depositions Courts Durham (1845) 65 He hard a sturr in the streit, and therwith lap furth.
1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1888) I. 163 The Scottis couragious..leipis to straikis.
1644 R. Baillie Let. 10 Aug. (1841) II. 217 Coll Macgillespick's son, who, with two thousand five hundred runagates from Ireland, are loppen over there.
1716 A. Ramsay On Wit 15 Hameward with clever strides he lap.
b. To break out in an illegal or disorderly way.
ΚΠ
a1670 J. Scott Staggering State Sc. Statesmen (1754) 153 He..grieving that he had not that power in court that he thought his birth and place deserved, leapt out, and made sundry out-reds against the king.
2. Proverb.1546 J. Heywood Dialogue Prouerbes Eng. Tongue i. ii. sig. Aiiiv Ye may learne..to loke or ye leape.1570 Mariage Witte & Sci. iv. i. sig. Civ But he that leapes before he loke, good sonne, Maye leape in the myre.
a. To rise with both (or all four) feet suddenly from the ground or other standing-place, alighting in some other position; to jump, spring. Often with adverbs, as aside, down, in, out. Also with cognate object.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > habits and actions of horse > [verb (intransitive)] > leap or prance
tripc1386
prancea1398
brank?1400
leapc1405
gambol?1507
curvet1584
jet1587
jaunt1605
scope1607
stilt1786
caracol1813
prank1842
cavort1843–4
tittup1862
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming in > go or come in [verb (intransitive)] > quickly
inthringc1330
leapa1500
inrush1610
rusha1616
to breeze in1930
to buzz in1938
c897 K. Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care xxxiii. 214 Ðæt hie ne hliepen unwillende on ðæt scorene clif unðeawa.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 11792 Þurrh þatt te laþe gast himm badd. Dun læpenn off þe temmple.
c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer Knight's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 1827 His hors for feere gan to turne And leep asyde and foundred as he leep.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin i. 21 He hadde lepte in to the ryver and drowned hym-self.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid x. x. 119 The tothir fey bruthir..Lap fra the cart.
1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) III. 447 He suld haif gart him leip Thre lowpis in ane.
1559 D. Lindsay Test. Papyngo l. 552 in Wks. (1931) I The ledder schuke, he lape, and gat one fall.
1612 M. Drayton Poly-olbion ii. 30 Cauerns in the earth, so darke and wondrous deepe As that, into whose mouth the desperate Roman leepe.
1688 R. Boyle Disquis. Final Causes ii. 53 He [the frog] must..shut his eyes, and so leap blindly.
1707 London Gaz. No. 4382/4 Stolen..a bright bay Gelding,..walks, trots, gallops, and leaps.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 233. ¶2 This Account..only mentioning the Name of the Lover who leaped, the Person he leaped for.
1725 A. Ramsay Gentle Shepherd i. i I..lap in o'er the dyke.
1863 ‘G. Eliot’ Romola I. xx. 329 He leaped up the stone steps by two at a time.
1884 Lady Verney in Contemp. Rev. Oct. 547 To save himself by leaping from the car.
b. Phrase. (ready) to leap out of †oneself or one's skin (as an expression of delight or eagerness).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > joy, gladness, or delight > be joyful or delighted [verb (intransitive)] > be beside oneself with joy
(ready) to leap out of oneself or one's skina1616
a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) v. ii. 49 Our King being ready to leape out of himselfe, for ioy of his found Daughter. View more context for this quotation
1630 P. Massinger Picture sig. G Though a poore snake I will leape Out of my skine for ioy.
a1777 S. Foote Capuchin (1778) i. 106 I should have been ready to leap out of my skin at the sight of a countryman in foreign parts.
c. To spring to one's seat upon a horse, into the saddle. Often with up. Also, †to leap on, †to leap to horse.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > upward movement > leaping, springing, or jumping > cause to jump [verb (transitive)] > leap, spring, or jump over
leapc900
overleapeOE
freea1578
overjump1604
jump1609
overskip1629
fly1719
top1735
spring?a1775
clear1791
overbound1813
over1837
overspring1847
leap-frog1872
vault1884
society > travel > transport > riding on horse (or other animal) > ride a horse (or other animal) [verb (intransitive)] > mount > by leaping
leapc900
alightc1380
starta1470
volt1753
vault1815
c900 tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. (1890) ii. x. [xiii.] 138 [He] hleop on þæs cyninges stedan.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 4631 Leoup [c1300 Otho leop] he an his stede.
c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 41/232 And lupe þou up bi-hynde me.
c1330 Arth. & Merl. 5278 (Kölbing) Opon her hors þai lopen swiþe.
13.. Sir Beues 1945 (MS. A.) Into þe sadel a lippte.
c1440 Generydes 2262 Generydes leppe vppe vppon his stede.
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) ii. 28 Ye Brus lap on and yidder raid.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xv. 236 Thei dide his comaundement, and lepe to horse.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lxii. 216 Huon & his company lept on theyr horses.
1600 J. Ruthven Earle of Gowries Conspiracie sig. A2 Before his Majestie could leape on horse back.
c1650 J. Spalding Memorialls Trubles Scotl. & Eng. (1850) I. 137 Aluaies he lap on in Abirdein about 60 horss, with suordis, pistollis, [etc.].
1841 M. Elphinstone Hist. India II. vii. ii. 137 Humáyun had only time to leap on horseback.
d. Of a fish: To spring from the water.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > fish > [verb (intransitive)] > leap
leapa1387
fly1579
prime?1789
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1876) VI. 203 A greet fische leep into þe schip.
1423 Kingis Quair cliii Lytill fischis..with bakkis blewe as lede, Lap and playit.
c1540 J. Bellenden in tr. H. Boece Hyst. & Cron. Scotl. sig. Cijv Als sone as thir salmond cumis to ye lyn, thay leip.
1813 J. Hogg Queen's Wake i. viii. 74 The troutis laup out of the Leven Loch.
1867 F. Francis Bk. Angling ix. 294 Whenever a salmon leaps you must keep a slack line.
e. to leap at: to make a spring at in order to seize; figurative to exhibit eagerness for. Cf. to jump at. So †to leap to be or do (something).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > willingness > be willing [verb (intransitive)] > be eager
tickle1542
to leap ata1616
to leap to be or do (something)a1616
to be on for1847
eager1860
the mind > will > wish or inclination > willingness > be willing to [verb (transitive)] > take advantage of eagerly
to leap ata1616
to jump at1769
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > upward movement > leaping, springing, or jumping > cause to jump [verb (transitive)] > leap at (in order to seize)
to leap ata1616
a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) iii. xiii. 50 If Cæsar please, our Master Will leape to be his Friend. View more context for this quotation
1632 P. Massinger Maid of Honour iii. i. sig. F2v My too curious appetite..Would leape at a mouldy crust?
1653 I. Walton Compl. Angler 214 I could..see fishes leaping at Flies of several shapes and colours. View more context for this quotation
1665 R. Boyle Occas. Refl. i. i. sig. M1v But observe this Dogg, I hold him out Meat..: 'Tis held indeed higher than he can Leap; and yet, if he Leap not at it, I do not give it him.
1671 L. Addison W. Barbary 20 Large Incoms, the baite disloyalty still leaps at.
1824 W. Scott Redgauntlet I. xiii. 303 Saunders lap at the proposition.
3. To spring sportively up and down; to jump (with joy, mirth, etc.); to dance, skip.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > upward movement > leaping, springing, or jumping > leap, spring, or jump [verb (intransitive)]
leapc900
startOE
reseOE
springa1275
throwc1275
upleapc1275
launch13..
aspringc1315
sault1377
lance?a1400
sprenta1400
loupc1480
lope1483
spang1513
bendc1530
jump1530
spend1533
stend1567
vaulta1568
pract1568
exult1570
bound1593
saltate1623
subsalt1623
jet1635
spoutc1650
volt1753
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > upward movement > leaping, springing, or jumping > leap, spring, or jump [verb (intransitive)] > caper
leapc900
playOE
floxec1200
startlec1300
trancec1374
prancec1380
tripc1386
scoupa1400
prankc1450
gambol1508
frisk?1520
jeta1529
pract1568
trounce1568
trip1578
capriole1580
lavolta1590
linch1593
curvet1595
flisk1595
firk1596
caper1598
jaunce1599
risec1599
cabre1600
jaunt1605
skit1611
to cut a caper or capersa1616
tripudiate1623
insult1652
to fike and flinga1689
scamper1691
dance1712
pranklea1717
cavort1794
jinket1823
gambado1827
caracol1861
c900 tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. (1891) v. iii. 390 He up astode & áa wæs gongende & hleapende & Dryhten herigende.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 12325 Summe heo gunnen lepen [c1300 Otho leape].
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 156 Þe asse..beginþ to lheape and yernþ to-yens him.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Matt. xi. 17 We han sungen to ȝou, and ȝe han nat lippid.
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1845) xxxiii. 163 My grey~houndes leped and my stede did sterte.
1583 G. Babington Very Fruitfull Expos. Commaundem. iv. 205 Asking vs if that were to halow the Sabaoth..to swill and to bibble, to leape, to wallowe and tumble in bed.
1611 Bible (King James) Luke vi. 23 Reioice yee in that day, and leape for ioy. View more context for this quotation
1796 A. Wilson Watty & Meg 8 Watty lap, and danc'd, and kiss'd her.
1856 E. B. Browning Aurora Leigh i. 41 And ankle-deep in English grass I leaped, And clapped my hands.
1896 A. E. Housman Shropshire Lad x. 17 And brutes in field and brutes in pen Leap that the world goes round again.
4. To spring suddenly to or upon one's feet; to rise with a bound from a sitting or recumbent position. Often with up. †to leap afoot: to spring to the ground from horseback; to dismount.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > transport > riding on horse (or other animal) > ride a horse (or other animal) [verb (intransitive)] > dismount > by leaping
to leap afootc1330
the world > space > relative position > posture > action of standing up or rising > rise or be standing [verb (intransitive)] > rise > quickly or suddenly
to start upc1275
upstart1303
leapc1330
upspringc1374
uprapea1400
boltc1425
starta1470
spring1474
rear1835
rare1886
c1330 Arth. & Merl. 7135 (Kölbing) [He] gan arise of his swouȝ..Vp he lepe wiþ chaufed blod.
1481 W. Caxton tr. Siege & Conqueste Jerusalem (1893) lxviii. 113 The duc leep a foote & drewe oute his swerde.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xiii. 195 He lepe vp-on hys feet vigerousely.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 8646 Achilles..bound vp his wounde..Lep vp full lyuely launchit on swithe.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 137 Arethusa leaping from her Bed, First lifts above the Waves her beauteous Head. View more context for this quotation
1820 P. B. Shelley Prometheus Unbound i. i. 24 A pilot asleep on the howling sea Leaped up from the deck in agony.
1859 Ld. Tennyson Vivien in Idylls of King 137 Vivien..Leapt from her session on his lap and stood Stiff as a frozen viper.
5. † b. To burst, crack, ‘fly’. Obsolete.
a. transferred of things: To spring, move with a leap or bound; esp. to ‘fly’ (by explosive or other force). Often with adverbs. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > upward movement > leaping, springing, or jumping > leap, spring, or jump [verb (intransitive)] > specifically of things
springOE
leapc1275
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 10994 Vðen þer leppeoð ut..fleoð ut a þat lond.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 27 And uor þet þe herte wes uol of uenym hit behoueþ þet hit lheape out be þe mouþe.
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) xii. iii. 411 The goshawke..smytyth and flappyth her wynges, and in soo doynge the olde fethers lepen out and newe growe.
c1425 Seven Sag. (P.) 627 Al the vertu ther schulde bee, Is lopon into the lytyl tre.
a1475 Liber Cocorum (Sloane) (1862) 46 Fyrst sethe þy mustuls quyl shel of lepe In water.
1575 G. Gascoigne Dan Bartholmew Posies 98 From reasons rule his fancie lightly lope.
1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Henry VIII iii. ii. 207 He parted Frowning from me, as if Ruine Leap'd from his Eyes. View more context for this quotation
1667 A. Marvell Let. 8 May in Poems & Lett. (1971) II. 250 'Tis probable it [the Bill] may this very day leap beyond any mans reach for the future.
1790 E. Burke Refl. Revol. in France 112 I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards to avenge even a look that threatened her with insult. View more context for this quotation
1814 H. F. Cary tr. Dante Vision III. v. 91 The arrow, ere the cord is still, Leapeth unto its mark.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. x. 65 The echos..leaped from cliff to cliff.
1879 F. W. Farrar Life & Work St. Paul I. i. v. 89 The vessel was shaken, and the name of Matthias leapt out.
1886 J. Ruskin Præterita II. v. 154 Above field and wood, leaps up the Salevè cliff, two thousand feet into the air.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > become open [verb (intransitive)] > spring or burst open
flusha1300
unspringa1400
leap1477
to break up1528
burst1590
fly1633
1477 T. Norton Ordinall of Alchimy vi, in E. Ashmole Theatrum Chem. Britannicum (1652) 95 Manie Claies woll leape in Fier.
1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies iii. xxvi. 198 As a chesnut laid into the fire, leaps and breaks.
c. Of the heart: To beat vigorously, beat ‘high’, bound, throb. Also rarely of the pulse.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > vascular system > circulation > pulsation > [verb (intransitive)] > types of pulsation
panta1500
leap1526
throb1542
vermiculate1706
flutter1714
wallop1766
thump1785
rise1819
race1853
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. giiii Wherfore, the hert hoppeth & leppeth in the body.
1596 Bp. W. Barlow tr. L. Lavater Three Christian Serm. Ded. 81 Made mens hearts to leape for joy.
1688 G. Miege Great French Dict. ii. sig. Ee3/3 His Heart is ready to leap into his Mouth.
1822 J. M. Good Study Med. III. 31 He found its [sc. the carp's] heart leaping..four hours after a separation from the body.
1871 F. T. Palgrave Lyrical Poems 6 His heart leapt high as he look'd.
1900 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. June 789 His pulses leaped, and his comely face Glowed with the pride of a fighting race.
d. colloquial. Of frost: To ‘give’ or thaw suddenly.
ΚΠ
1869 H. Stephens Bk. of Farm (ed. 2) I. 139/2 When frost suddenly gives way in the morning about sunrise, it is said to have ‘leapt’.
e. Mining. (See quot.)
ΚΠ
1747 W. Hooson Miners Dict. sig. L3 Sometimes a Vein..will Leap [as] much aside as a Yard..or more.
1802 J. Mawe Mineral. of Derbyshire 206 Gloss. Leap, the vein is said to leap when a substance intersects it, and it is found again, a few feet from the perpendicular.
f. with reference to leap-year.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > reckoning of time > reckon or measure time [verb (intransitive)] > leap (of a year)
leap1600
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xlv. xliv. 1232 This yere leapt, and the leap day was the morrow after the feast Terminalia.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. 6 Whereupon euery fifth yeere leapeth, and one odde day is set to the rest.
1604 Bk. Com. Prayer (rubric) When the yeeres of our Lorde may be diuided into foure euen partes, which is euery fourth yeere: then the Sunday letter leapeth.
a1681 G. Wharton Disc. Years in Wks. (1683) 74 By this Addition..the Fixed Holy-days, and the like, do as it were leap one day farther into the Week.
6. figurative.
a. To pass abruptly or at a bound (from one condition or position to another). Also with back, down, up.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > change to something else, transformation > sudden or complete change > change suddenly [verb (intransitive)]
fallOE
leap?c1225
chop1657
slop1900
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 173 Lo þe swoke hu he walde Maken hire a lest to leapen into prude.
a1240 Wohunge in Cott. Hom. 285 For þenne schal i lepen fra rode in to reste.
c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 384 Þus deede beggers freris, lippen up to kynges power.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 8800 Þat þou þarfor lepe not in ire.
?a1400 Morte Arth. 2084 Bot some leppe fro the lyfe, that one ȝone lawnde houez.
1568 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xlvii. 101 The pairteis mett and maid a fair contrack; Bot now, allace! the men are loppin aback For oppin sklander, callit ane speikand devill.
1598 R. Grenewey tr. Tacitus Annales vi. x. 137 He gaue him time to leape back from their agreements.
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 223 And (to leape back into the Talmud) a certaine Rabbi..saw [etc.].
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 746 Let us draw somewhat nearer the Sunne, gently marching..lest if wee should suddenly leape from one extremity to another, wee should [etc.].
c1650 J. Spalding Memorialls Trubles Scotl. & Eng. (1851) II. 473 Forgetting his oath..he lap in to the vther syd.
1702 R. L'Estrange tr. Josephus Jewish Antiq. iv. i, in Wks. 78 Without Leaping out of one Slavery into another.
1846 J. Martineau Ess., Rev., & Addr. (1891) III. 378 They leap down from Aristotle to Bentham, from Plato to Coleridge, with the fewest possible resting-places between.
b. To pass over at a bound; †to evade, neglect.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > ignoring, disregard > ignore, disregard [verb (transitive)] > omit, pass over
forgetc950
overhipc1300
overgoa1382
overpassa1382
passa1382
to step over ——1387
to pass overc1390
overslipa1400
overskipc1400
overslide1488
overstartc1500
neglect1511
skip1531
to pass by1560
intermit1570
leap1600
overjump1604
jump1749
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice i. ii. 18 A hote temper leapes ore a colde decree. View more context for this quotation
1659 T. Burton Diary (1828) IV. 55 I could leap over the rest, but this passed, I doubt it will never be recovered in any age.
1727 A. Hamilton New Acct. E. Indies I. p. xv I can perceive several Things worth noticing, they have neglected or leapt over.
1891 T. K. Cheyne Origin & Relig. Contents Psalter viii. 408 The world's great change was expected so shortly that the brief waiting time might easily be leaped over.
c. Music. To pass from one note to another by an interval greater than a degree of the scale. Also transitive. (Cf. leap n.1 7.)
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > pitch > interval > [verb (intransitive)] > pass more than one degree
skip1868
leap1879
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > pitch > interval > [verb (transitive)] > pass more than one degree
leap1927
1879 G. A. Macfarren Counterpoint iv. 10 After several consecutive 2nds, in melody, it is bad to leap, in the same direction, upward or downward to an accented note.
1889 E. Prout Harmony (ed. 3) xiii. 143 The third of the chord exceptionally leaping, instead of moving as usual by step.
1927 C. H. Kitson Counterpoint for Beginners 17 A part may not leap any interval greater than an octave.
7. transitive. To spring over; to pass from one side to the other by leaping. Also in to leap bounds (literal and figurative). Also said of a bridge span.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > advancement or progress > outdoing or surpassing > outdo or surpass [verb (intransitive)] > go beyond bounds
overflowOE
overpassa1500
overreacha1568
to leap bounds1597
overruna1600
deborda1653
excur1656
slop1859
to hit the high spots1891
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1871) III. 57 Romulus diede afore thro lepenge the walles of Rome.
1597 A. Montgomerie Cherrie & Slae 906 Schaw skills and wills occasion quhy, that danger lap the dike.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) i. iv. 21 Be clamorous, and leape all ciuill bounds. View more context for this quotation
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 103 Let 'em not leap the Ditch, or swim the Flood. View more context for this quotation
1780 W. Cowper Progress of Error 93 The Nimrod..Leaps every fence but one.
1786 R. Burns Twa Dogs v, in Poems 11 He was a gash an' faithfu' tyke, As ever lap a sheugh or dyke.
1866 C. Kingsley Hereward the Wake II. ix. 149 Come on, leap it like men!
1886 J. Ruskin Præterita I. ix. 293 The single arched bridge that leaps the Ain.
8. To cause (an animal) to take a leap. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > transport > riding on horse (or other animal) > ride (a horse or other animal) [verb (transitive)] > make (a horse) leap
bound1592
leap1687
jump1890
1687 J. Scott Christian Life: Pt. II (ed. 2) II. vii. 355 Those restless Furies..will never cease stimulating and spurring us on..till they have leapt us headlong into the everlasting burnings.
1860 W. H. Russell My Diary in India 1858–9 II. 287 [He] had leaped his horse across a deep nullah.
9. Of certain beasts: To spring upon (the female) in copulation. Also absol. Also †to leap upon.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > engage in sexual activity with [verb (transitive)] > mount (a partner) for purpose of sexual intercourse
ridea1450
mounta1475
beleap1513
leap1530
colta1616
vaulta1616
rut1700
the world > animals > animal body > general parts > sexual organs and reproduction > [verb (transitive)] > copulate with > mount
leap1530
spring1585
mount1593
1530 Bible (Tyndale) Gen. xxxi. f. xliijv All the rammes that leape vpon the shepe are straked, spotted and partie.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 606/1 Kepe your horse in the stabyll, for and he leape a mare he wyll be the worse to journey a good whyle after.
1535 Act 27 Hen. VIII c. 6. §4 The Lords..shall not..suffer any of the said mares to be covered or leapt with any stoned Horse.
1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing v. iv. 49 Some such strange bull leapt your fathers cowe. View more context for this quotation
1656 J. Smith Compl. Pract. Physick 251 A Ram that never leaped a Sheep.
1740 H. Bracken Farriery Improv'd (ed. 2) II. vi. 128 Colts got by such Horses that have leaped eight or ten Times a Day.
1773 Ann. Reg. 1772 105/1 A bull..which leaps cows at 5l. 5s. a cow.
1813 Sporting Mag. 42 232 The young bull..will not leap any cows..till the first of May.
Compounds
leap candle n. (see quot.).
ΚΠ
1839 W. J. Thoms Anecd. & Trad. (Camden) 96 The young girls in and about Oxford have a sport called Leap Candle, for which they set a candle in the middle of the room in a candlestick, and then draw up their coats..and dance over the candle back and forth with these words [etc.].
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > travel from place to place > [adjective] > with no fixed aim or wandering > as a vagabond or tramp
vagrant1461
loiteringa1533
way-walkinga1535
roguing1566
roguish1572
vagabondical1576
vagabond1585
vagabondinga1586
land-loping1587
vagrom1600
leap-land1614
vagabondial1615
vaguea1627
gangrel1650
vagabondious1661
going1737
gang-there-out1815
tramping1828
vagabondizing1830
pikey1838
beachcombing1845
runagate1877
going-about1886
bummy1890
1614 D. Dyke Myst. Selfe-deceiuing xix. 244 God did not allow of such rouing lep-land Leuites.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1902; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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