trampoline

[ tram-puh-leen, tram-puh-leen, -lin ]

noun

1. a sheet, usually of canvas, attached by resilient cords or springs to a horizontal frame several feet above the floor, used by acrobats and gymnasts as a springboard in tumbling.
2. Nautical. a fabric deck stretched on the braces connecting the hulls of a catamaran or trimaran, resembling a gymnastic trampoline.

trampoline

/ -ˌliːn; ˈtræmpəlɪn /

noun

1. a tough canvas sheet suspended by springs or elasticated cords from a frame, used by acrobats, gymnasts, etc

verb

1. intr to exercise on a trampoline

Derived Forms

• ˈtrampoliner, noun

Other Words From

• trampo·liner trampo·linist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of trampoline¹

1790–1800; variant of trampolin < Italian trampolino springboard, equivalent to trampol ( i ) stilts (< Germanic; trample ) + -ino -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of trampoline¹

C18: via Spanish from Italian trampolino , from trampoli stilts, of Germanic origin; compare trample

Example Sentences

As for Mademoiselle Trampoline, her French maid, she would stare the sun itself out of countenance.

From Project Gutenberg