Part 691

5. (Zoöl.) A variety of the field spaniel. See Spaniel.

6. (Zoöl.) A species of antelope; the sprinkbok.

Spring"halt` (?), n. (Far.) A kind of lameness in horse. See Stringhalt. Shak.

Spring"head` (?), n. A fountain or source.

Spring"i*ness (?), n. The state or quality of being springly. Boyle.

Spring"ing, n. 1. The act or process of one who, or that which, springs.

2. Growth; increase; also, that which springs up; a shoot; a plant.

Thou blessest the springing thereof.

Ps. lxv. 10.

Springing line of an arch (Arch.), the horizontal line drawn through the junction of the vertical face of the impost with the curve of the intrados; -- called also spring of an arch.

Sprin"gle (?), n. A springe. [Prov. Eng.]

Spring"let (?), n. A little spring.

But yet from out the little hill Oozes the slender springlet still.

Sir W. Scott.

Spring"tail` (?), n. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of small apterous insects belonging to the order Thysanura. They have two elastic caudal stylets which can be bent under the abdomen and then suddenly extended like a spring, thus enabling them to leap to a considerable distance. See Collembola, and Podura.

Spring"tide (?), n. The time of spring; springtime. Thomson.

Spring"time` (?), n. The season of spring; springtide.

Spring"y (?), a. [Compar. Springier (?); superl. Springiest.] [From Spring.] 1. Resembling, having the qualities of, or pertaining to, a spring; elastic; as, springy steel; a springy step.

Though her little frame was slight, it was firm and springy.

Sir W. Scott.

2. Abounding with springs or fountains; wet; spongy; as, springy land.

Sprin"kle (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sprinkled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Sprinkling (?).] [OE. sprenkelen, freq. of sprengen to sprinkle, to scatter, AS. sprengan, properly, to make to spring, causative of springan to spring; akin to D. sprenkelen to sprinkle, G. sprengen. See Spring, v. i., and cf. Sprent.] 1. To scatter in small drops or particles, as water, seed, etc.

2. To scatter on; to disperse something over in small drops or particles; to besprinkle; as, to sprinkle the earth with water; to sprinkle a floor with sand.

3. To baptize by the application of a few drops, or a small quantity, of water; hence, to cleanse; to purify.

Having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience.

Heb. x. 22.

Sprin"kle, v. i. 1. To scatter a liquid, or any fine substance, so that it may fall in particles.

And the priest shall . . . sprinkle of the oil with his finger seven times before the Lord.