Meaning of springald | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A young man, a stripling, a youth.
   archaic
2. An ancient military engine for launching stones and arrows by means of a spring.
   historical

Equivalents

Examples

“There came two Springals of full tender yeares, / Farre thence from forrein land⟳ where they did dwell […]”

“Sure the diuell, God blesse us, is in this Springald, why George, dist ever see⟳ such a fire-drake, I am afraid my boie's miscaried, if he be, though hee were Maister Mery-thoughts sonne a thousand times, if there bee any Law in England I'le make⟳ some of them smart for't.”

“Understand⟳, this Firſt-ling [the wallflower] vvas / Once a briſk and bonny Laſſe, / VVho a ſprightly Springall lov'd, / And to have⟳ it fully prov'd, / Up ſhe got upon a vvall, / Tempting dovvn to ſlide vvithall: / But the ſilken tvviſt unty'd, / So ſhe fell; and bruis'd, ſhe dy'd.”

“this same springald, who conceals his name⟳, and despises our proffered hospitality, hath already gained one prize, and may now afford⟳ to let⟳ others have⟳ their turn⟳.”

“The springald is a somewhat more problematic weapon as it is completely unclear whether it was the same weapon as the Roman ballista which some historians believe⟳ never disappeared from the battlefield and remained in use⟳ throughout […]”

“Although generally more powerful than the great crossbow, the springald was not as versatile, since it could not be moved quickly during a siege, nor would it operate⟳ properly in wet⟳ conditions at sea.”

CEFR level