Main Entry:

¹leap

Pronunciation:

\ˈlēp\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

leaped or leapt \ˈlēpt also ˈlept\ ; leap·ing \ˈlē-piŋ\

Etymology:

Middle English lepen, from Old English hlēapan; akin to Old High German hlouffan to run

Date:

before 12th century

intransitive verb1: to spring free from or as if from the ground : jump <leap over a fence> <a fish leaps out of the water>2 a: to pass abruptly from one state or topic to another b: to act precipitately <leaped at the chance>transitive verb: to pass over by leaping <leaped the wall>

— leap·er \ˈlē-pər\ noun