somersault
or som·er·set sum·mer·sault, sum·mer·set
[ suhm-er-sawlt ]
/ ˈsʌm ərˌsɔlt /
noun
an acrobatic movement, either forward or backward, in which the body rolls end over end, making a complete revolution.
such a movement performed in the air as part of a dive, tumbling routine, etc.
a complete overturn or reversal, as of opinion.
verb (used without object)
to perform a somersault.
Origin of somersault
1520–30; < Middle French
sombresaut, alteration of
sobresault; compare Old Provençal
sobre over (< Latin
super),
saut a leap (< Latin
saltus)
Words nearby somersault
somehow,
someone,
someplace,
somer,
somers point,
somersault,
somerset,
somerset house,
somerset island,
somersetshire,
somersworth
Example sentences from the Web for somersault
British Dictionary definitions for somersault
somersault
summersault
/ (ˈsʌməˌsɔːlt) /
noun
- a forward roll in which the head is placed on the ground and the trunk and legs are turned over it
- a similar roll in a backward direction
an acrobatic feat in which either of these rolls are performed in midair, as in diving or gymnastics
a complete reversal of opinion, policy, etc
verb
(intr)
to perform a somersault
Word Origin for somersault
C16: from Old French
soubresault, probably from Old Provençal
sobresaut, from
sobre over (from Latin
super) +
saut a jump, leap (from Latin
saltus)