Reading Theme:
Spring: Definitions, Usage & Common Examples (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：the first season (spring)
spring
/sprɪŋ/
n. v.
the warm season after winter and before summer, when plants start to grow.
the first season
➕
/ðə fɜːst ˈsiːzən/
n. v.
The season following winter and preceding summer, characterized by warmer weather, longer days, and the growth of new plant life.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Old English 'springan' (to leap, burst forth). Core idea of sudden movement or emergence.
💡 Mnemonic
Think: A coiled metal SPRING can SPRING into action during the SPRING season.
📖 Example
I love to plant flowers in my garden during the spring when the weather is perfect.
I find great joy in planting flowers in my garden in the first season, when climatic conditions are ideal.
🔗 Collocations
spring break – a vacation period for students in the spring
spring cleaning – a thorough cleaning of a house or place traditionally done in spring
🔄 Synonyms
springtime (n.) – Another term for the season of spring.
🚫 Antonyms
autumn (n.) – The season following summer and preceding winter; also called fall.
🌱 Derivatives
springlike (adj.) – Resembling or characteristic of the season spring.
📖 Cultural Story
The season sense derives from the idea of plants 'springing' or sprouting from the ground. The coil sense (16th century) comes from its elastic, 'springy' action. A word embodying both natural renewal and mechanical force.
Meaning 2：elastic coil (spring)
spring
/sprɪŋ/
n. v.
a thin, coiled piece of metal that can be pressed or pulled but returns to its original shape.
elastic coil
➕
/ɪˈlæstɪk kɔɪl/
n. v.
A flexible device, typically a coiled metal wire, that can be compressed, stretched, or twisted and returns to its original shape when released, used to store mechanical energy.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The old watch stopped working because the tiny spring inside was broken.
The vintage timepiece ceased to function due to a fracture in the minuscule elastic coil within its mechanism.
🔗 Collocations
coil spring – a spring in the form of a helix, used in vehicle suspensions and mattresses
spring tension – the force exerted by a compressed or stretched spring
🔄 Synonyms
coil (n.) – A length of something wound in a joined sequence of loops; can refer to a spring or similar spiral form.
🚫 Antonyms
rigid bar (n.) – A stiff, inflexible rod that does not bend or compress like a spring.
🌱 Derivatives
springy (adj.) – Able to spring back easily; elastic.
springboard (n.) – A flexible board used to gain height in diving or gymnastics; figuratively, a starting point.
Meaning 3：jump suddenly (spring)
spring
/sprɪŋ/
n. v.
to jump or move quickly and suddenly, often with force.
jump suddenly
➕
/dʒʌmp ˈsʌdənli/
n. v.
To move or jump rapidly, energetically, or suddenly, often from a concealed or resting position, propelled by muscular force or a release of energy.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The cat saw a bird and tried to spring from the chair to catch it.
Upon spotting a bird, the feline attempted to jump suddenly from its perch on the chair in an effort to capture it.
🔗 Collocations
spring into action – to start doing something quickly and energetically
spring to mind – to be thought of immediately
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
crawl (v.) – To move slowly on hands and knees or by dragging the body close to the ground.
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