Etymology: Apparently the reflex of an unattested Old English *sprencg < the same base as spring v.¹ (compare sprenge v.); compare (with different stem class) Old High German springa snare (Middle High German sprinke ). Compare later spring n.³The variation in stem vowel is the result of Middle English raising of e to i before n plus consonant (see R. Jordan Handb. der mittelenglischen Grammatik (ed. 2, 1934) §34.2, and compare e.g. hinge n., singe v.). The presumed Old English palatalization and assibilation of the original velar plosive /ɡ/ (resulting in the affricate /dʒ/) is not unambiguously evidenced by the spelling until the 16th cent. (compare β. forms); it is possible that some Middle English α. forms could alternatively show earlier forms of spring n.³  Possible Old English parallel. It has been suggested that Old English sprindel (in uncertain sense in early Old English glossaries, rendering post-classical Latin tenticum , itself in uncertain sense) perhaps represents a related word meaning ‘snare’ ( < the same base as spring v.¹ + -th suffix¹ + -le suffix), on the assumption that the lemma tenticum is a corruption of post-classical Latin tenticulum , variant of tendiculum snare, trap (see tendicule n.); perhaps compare also later springle n.¹ However, alternative suggestions exist, both for the etymology of Old English sprindel and for the meaning of post-classical Latin tenticum.

Etymology: Origin uncertain. N.E.D. (1915) gives the pronunciation as (sprindʒ) /sprɪndʒ/. Compare the weak verb springe to spring, bound, recorded in Shropshire with the pronunciation /sprɪndʒ/ (1879; perhaps the same word as springe v.¹, influenced in sense by spring v.¹). Alternatively, perhaps compare springy adj. 2b and English regional (Cheshire) †springow nimble, active (1826 or earlier), although a connection with either of these seems unlikely in view of the spelling springe and the pronunciation this implies.

Etymology: Apparently a variant of sprenge v. (see discussion at that entry). Compare springle v.¹, sprinkle v.², and spring v.¹ 4 (from which it is difficult to distinguish in early use).

Etymology: < springe n. N.E.D. (1915) gives the pronunciation as (sprindʒ) /sprɪndʒ/.