King James Bible Dictionary

SPRIG, noun

1. A small shoot or twig of a tree or other plant; a spray; as a sprig of laurel or of parsely.

2. A brad, or nail without a head. [Local.]

3. The representation of a small branch in embroidery.

4. A small eye-bolt ragged at the point.

SPRIG, verb transitive To mark or adorn with the representation of small branches; to work with sprigs; as, to sprig muslin.

SPRIG-CRYSTAL, noun Crystal found in the form of a hexangular column, adhering to the stone, and terminating at the other end in a point.

SPRIGGED, participle passive Wrought with representations of small twigs.

SPRIGGING, participle present tense Working with sprigs.

SPRIGGY, adjective Full of sprigs or small branches.

SPRIGHT, SPRITE, noun [G., spirit. It should be written sprite.]

1. A spirit; a shade; a soul; an incorporeal agent.

Forth he calld, out of deep darkness dread, legions of sprights.

And gaping graves receivd the guilty spright

2. A walking spirit; an apparition.

3. Power which gives cheerfulness or courage.

Hold thou my heart, establish thou mu sprights. [Not in use.]

4. An arrow. [Not in use.]

SPRIGHT, verb transitive To haunt, as a spright [ Not used.]

SPRIGHTFUL, adjective [This word seems to be formed from the root of sprag, a local word, pronounced in America spry. It belongs to the family of spring and sprig.] Lively; brisk; nimble; vigorous; gay.

Spoke like a sprightful noble gentleman.

Steeds sprightful as the light.

[This word is little used in America. We use sprightly in the same sense.]

SPRIGHTFULLY, adverb Briskly; vigorously.

SPRIGHTFULNESS, noun Briskness; liveliness; vivacity.

SPRIGHTLESS, adjective Destitute of life; dull; sluggish; as virtues sprightless cold.

SPRIGHTLINESS, noun [from sprightly.] Liveliness; life; briskness; vigor; activity; gayety; vivacity.

In dreams, with what sprightliness and alacrity does the soul exert herself.

SPRIGHTLY, adjective Lively; brisk; animated; vigorous; airy; gay; as a sprightly youth; a sprightly air; a sprightly dance.

The sprightly Sylvia trips along the green.

And sprightly wit and love inspires.