Outleaping

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. The energetic act of jumping away from a designated place signifies a forceful departure
2. The swift movement of springing forth from a location highlights a vigorous transition
3. The action of leaping beyond a certain point indicates an energetic escape from a location

Etymology: "Outleaping" is the present participle of "outleap," a verb formed from the prefix "out-" and the verb "leap." The prefix "out-" in this sense adds the idea of going beyond or surpassing something, so "outleap" carries the sense of leaping farther, faster, or beyond a limit, while "leap" itself is an ancient word for a sudden springing movement. The combination is a plain English formation: a common verb with a prefix attached to extend its meaning. Because "out-" is productive in English, speakers could create many such verbs (outrun, outfly, outsail), and "outleap" follows that same pattern. The word's sense of springing forth from one place, and of a vigorous break from a starting point, grows directly from the meaning of "leap" plus the directional force of "out-."

Synonyms: jumping, leaping, springing