Gambadoes

Part of speech: noun, verb

Definitions

1. To leap or skip about playfully or frolic in a lively manner; to move with light, bouncing steps often showing joy or excitement; to prance or frolic around with energetic and spirited movements
2. Engaging in joyful bounds or skips; hopping about energetically in a carefree and happy way; skipping and jumping in a playful or sprightly fashion
3. To move by making lively jumps or skips; to frisk about in an animated, lively manner; to exhibit a playful movement characterized by bouncing or leaping with enthusiasm

Etymology: "Gambadoes" is the plural of "gambado," a noun that also serves as a verb form in its own right, so the sense here is the same either way. The base word comes from Italian or Spanish "gamba," meaning "leg," and it entered English alongside a family of related terms that describe leaping and kicking with the legs. The leg-based origin is what makes the meaning so physical: the word describes the lively, legs-first movement of a skip or caper rather than any abstract cheerfulness.

Synonyms: leaps, bounds, jumps, hops, springs

Antonyms: walks, stands, rests, stops, pauses