† sprindadj.

Etymology: Origin uncertain. Perhaps < an ablaut variant of the Germanic base of Old Icelandic (poetic) sprund woman (perhaps originally specifically denoting a bold or showy woman), Swedish sprund small opening or slit, especially in clothing (although it is not entirely certain that the Scandinavian words are cognate with each other); further etymology uncertain, perhaps ultimately related (with different root extension) to the Germanic base of Old Icelandic spretta to spurt out, to start, spring, to sprout, grow (see sprent v.). Perhaps compare Old English asprindlian (in an isolated attestation in the past participle asprindlad torn open, ripped up; compare a- prefix¹, -le suffix 3).The Old English comparative form spryngdra is frequently assumed to show either alteration after spring v.¹ or a transmission error. The possibility that the word derives < the Germanic base of spring v.¹ cannot be entirely excluded, but the presence of a dental suffix would be unexplained. Compare also discussion of the isolated Old English form sprinctinge at springing n.¹ An Old English derivative adverb sprindlīce vigorously, actively (compare -ly suffix²) is also attested.