trampoline

Definition

A gymnastic and recreational device consisting of a piece of taut, strong fabric or rubber stretched over a (usually steel) frame using many coiled springs as anchors.

Etymology

From Spanish trampolín and/or Italian trampolino; in English, a genericized trademark based on the Spanish word trademarked in 1936, but attested since 1798.

Example Sentences

• "No man was ever known to poſſeſs ſuch wonderful activity as Mr. Ireland, the flying Phœnomenon, at the Royal Circus; he poſitively leaps over a large tilted waggon and four horſes, and performs a number of other feats equally aſtoniſhing; he is a young man of about 23 years of age, 6 feet and an inch high, and does not make uſe of a ſpring board or trampoline."
• "Though the name of the Four Cleos may not be familiar, their pranks are. They perform on that apparatus resembling a spring mattress, which has been dubbed the “trampoline,” owing to some confusion with the Anglicised form of tremplin (springboard)."