leap

Leap is defined as to jump up from the ground.

(verb)

An example of leap is to jump across a small stream.

The definition of a leap is a jump from one point to another or a sudden or large movement or transition.

(noun)

  1. An example of leap is how a frog gets around.
  2. An example of leap is going right from a first date to a wedding.

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See leap in Webster's New World College Dictionary

intransitive verb leapt or lept or leaped, leaping

  1. to move oneself suddenly from the ground, etc. by using one's leg muscles; jump; spring
  2. to move suddenly or swiftly, as if by jumping; bound
  3. to accept eagerly something offered: with at: to leap at a chance

Origin: ME lepen < OE hleapan, akin to MDu lopen, Ger laufen

transitive verb

  1. to pass over by a jump
  2. to cause or force to leap: to leap a horse over a wall

noun

  1. the act of leaping; jump; spring
  2. the distance covered in a jump
  3. a place that is, or is to be, leapt over or from
  4. a sudden transition

Related Forms:

See leap in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb leaped leaped or leapt (lĕpt, lēpt), leap·ing, leaps
verb, intransitive
  1. To spring or bound upward from or as if from the ground; jump: leaped over the wall; salmon leaping upriver.
  2. a. To move quickly or abruptly from one condition or subject to another: always leaping to conclusions.
    b. To act impulsively: leaped at the opportunity to travel.
verb, transitive
  1. To jump over: couldn't leap the brook.
  2. To cause to leap: leap a horse over a hurdle.
noun
  1. a. The act of leaping; a jump.
    b. A place jumped over or from.
    c. The distance cleared in a leap.
  2. An abrupt or precipitous passage, shift, or transition: a leap from rags to riches.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English lepen

Origin: , from Old English hlēapan

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Related Forms:

  • leapˈer noun

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