somersault

or som·er·set sum·mer·sault, sum·mer·set

[ suhm-er-sawlt ]

noun

1. an acrobatic movement, either forward or backward, in which the body rolls end over end, making a complete revolution.
2. such a movement performed in the air as part of a dive, tumbling routine, etc.
3. a complete overturn or reversal, as of opinion.

verb (used without object)

1. to perform a somersault.

somersault

/ ˈsʌməˌsɔːlt /

noun

1. 1. a forward roll in which the head is placed on the ground and the trunk and legs are turned over it
   2. a similar roll in a backward direction
2. an acrobatic feat in which either of these rolls are performed in midair, as in diving or gymnastics
3. a complete reversal of opinion, policy, etc

verb

1. intr to perform a somersault

Word History and Origins

Origin of somersault¹

1520–30; < Middle French sombresaut, alteration of sobresault; compare Old Provençal sobre over (< Latin super ), saut a leap (< Latin saltus )

Word History and Origins

Origin of somersault¹

C16: from Old French soubresault, probably from Old Provençal sobresaut, from sobre over (from Latin super ) + saut a jump, leap (from Latin saltus )

Example Sentences

For little kids, almost all activities are unfamiliar, and so whatever they do—splash in water, somersault, pick dandelions—they do with the delight of discovery.

From Outside Online

New Year’s Eve is a turning point for Linda and Johnny, a dual somersault toward the possibility of happiness.

From Time

In 1950, he married June Biber, a Chicago classmate, and performed a standing somersault at the wedding.

From Washington Post

Their fluttering punches and somersaults, or relative stillness, may unconsciously condition us to expect chaos or calm from our baby-to-be, training us to be the best mom for the job.

From Washington Post

Instead of making his mouth do somersaults, Wallen centers himself in the music, focusing on his lungs, his throat.

From Washington Post

Anything more complicated than a somersault looks like a cutscene from a PlayStation game.

From The Daily Beast

This, and no other, is the explanation of that remarkable somersault in Napoleon's diplomacy which followed in the next few weeks.

From Project Gutenberg

This was apparently a complete somersault, for it meant that either Alexander must yield or the alliance would be jeopardized.

From Project Gutenberg

At any rate he tripped on the edge of a rug, almost turned a somersault, blacked his eye and cried for half an hour.

From Project Gutenberg

Your abolition government may turn a somersault some fine morning.

From Project Gutenberg

And with the recovery of the name Quin's mind did another somersault.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bounce
• bound
• dive
• drop
• fall
• hop
• plummet
• skip
• surge
• take
• top
• vault