Leap (?), n. [AS. le�xa0;p.]

1.

A basket.

[Obs.]

Wyclif.

2.

A weel or wicker trap for fish.

[Prov. Eng.]

 

© Webster 1913.


Leap (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Leaped (?), rarely Leapt; p. pr. & vb. n. Leaping.] [OE. lepen, leapen, AS. hle�xa0;pan to leap, jump, run; akin to OS. ahlpan, OFries. hlapa, D. loopen, G. laufen, OHG. louffan, hlauffan, Icel. hlaupa, Sw. lopa, Dan. lobe, Goth. ushlaupan. Cf. Elope, Lope, Lapwing, Loaf to loiter.]

1.

To spring clear of the ground, with the feet; to jump; to vault; as, a man leaps over a fence, or leaps upon a horse.

Bacon.

Leap in with me into this angry flood. Shak.

2.

To spring or move suddenly, as by a jump or by jumps; to bound; to move swiftly. Also Fig.

My heart leaps up when I behold A rainbow in the sky. Wordsworth.

 

© Webster 1913.


Leap, v. t.

1.

To pass over by a leap or jump; as, to leap a wall, or a ditch.

2.

To copulate with (a female beast); to cover.

3.

To cause to leap; as, to leap a horse across a ditch.

 

© Webster 1913.


Leap, n.

1.

The act of leaping, or the space passed by leaping; a jump; a spring; a bound.

Wickedness comes on by degrees, . . . and sudden leaps from one extreme to another are unnatural. L'Estrange.

Changes of tone may proceed either by leaps or glides. H. Sweet.

2.

Copulation with, or coverture of, a female beast.

3. Mining

A fault.

4. Mus.

A passing from one note to another by an interval, especially by a long one, or by one including several other and intermediate intervals.

 

© Webster 1913.

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