north. and Sc. [f. SPRENT v. Cf. Icel. sprettr a short gallop, Norw. sprett a sprinkle, splash, etc.]
1. † a. A sprinkler, Obs.–1
14[?]. in J. R. Boyle, Hedon (1875), App. 120. Pro factura … iij. sprentes et j. kilpe pro le haliwater.
b. A sprinkle; a spot or stain caused by sprinkling. Chiefly north. dial.
1860. ‘Holme Lee,’ Leg. fr. Fairy Land, 1. This gossamer was finer than any spider’s web, and all over it were sprents of dew.
1865–. in Yks. and Lancs. glossaries.
2. a. A spring, leap, bound.
1513. Douglas, Æneid, XI. xiv. 68. The serpent … In lowpyt thrawis wrythis wyth mony a sprent.
1887. in Darlington, S. Chesh. Gloss.
b. A spring of a lock, etc. Also fig.
1621. Ld. Dunfermline, in G. Seton, Mem. (1882), 130. I find me now far remoued from the springs or sprentis that mouis all the resortis off our gouerment.
1645. Rutherford, Tryal & Tri. Faith (1845), 37. When there is a stone in the sprent and in-work of the lock, the key cannot open the door.
1808. Jamieson, s.v., The back sprent of a clasping knife.
c. (See quot.)
1710. Ruddiman, Gloss. Douglas’ Æneis, s.v., We use the word sprent, for the spring, or elastick force of any thing.
3. The fastening or hasp of a chest, trunk, etc. Also attrib.
1511. Acc. Ld. High Treas. Scot., IV. 276. For expens maid … one the said organis … in naillis and sprentis of irne.
1570. Henry’s Wallace, IV. 238. Wraithly till it [the door] he went; Be force of handis it raisit out of the sprent [v.r. stent].
1644. in Trans. Antiq. Soc. Scot. (1792), I. 174. A key and sprent band.
1808. in Jamieson.
1855–. in Yks. and Northumbld. glossaries.
1875. W. Welsh, Poet. & Prose Wks., 67. Open that auld kist wi’ the sprent.
4. A springe or snare.
1822. Lonsdale Mag., III. 13 (E.D.D.). Catching partridges and woodcocks in sprents.
1878–. in Cumberland glossaries.
