somersault
Use Somersault in a sentence
ərˌsɔlt noun
1.
an acrobatic movement, either forward or backward, in which the body rolls end over end, making a complete revolution.
2.
such a movement performed in the air as part of a dive, tumbling routine, etc.
3.
a complete overturn or reversal, as of opinion.
verb (used without object)
4.
to perform a somersault.
Origin:
1520–30; < Middle French sombresaut, alteration of sobresault; compare Old Provençal sobre over (< Latin super), saut a leap (< Latin saltus)
1520–30; < Middle French sombresaut, alteration of sobresault; compare Old Provençal sobre over (< Latin super), saut a leap (< Latin saltus)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To somersault
00:10
Somersault
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is kibitz. Does it mean:
| to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly. |
| chat, to converse |
Collins
World English Dictionary
somersault or summersault (ˈsʌməˌsɔːlt) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a. a forward roll in which the head is placed on the ground and the trunk and legs are turned over it |
| b. a similar roll in a backward direction | |
| 2. | an acrobatic feat in which either of these rolls are performed in midair, as in diving or gymnastics |
| 3. | a complete reversal of opinion, policy, etc |
| —vb | |
| 4. | (intr) to perform a somersault |
| [C16: from Old French soubresault, probably from Old Provençal sobresaut, from sobre over (from Latin super) + saut a jump, leap (from Latin saltus)] | |
| summersault or summersault | |
| —n | |
| —vb | |
| [C16: from Old French soubresault, probably from Old Provençal sobresaut, from sobre over (from Latin super) + saut a jump, leap (from Latin saltus)] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
somersault
1530, from M.Fr. sombresault, from O.Prov. sobresaut, from sobre "over" (from L. supra "over") + saut "a jump," from L. saltus, from the root of salire "to leap" (see salient). Sometimes further corrupted to somerset, etc.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
So he got on the horse and he began pitching and finally turned a somersault with him.
Then he advances toward her, leaping and doing a somersault, only to be pushed away.
Mine is a graceful somersault that disengages both of my skis and leaves me floating in the white.
Being able to somersault with her playmates was a major accomplishment.
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