Now arch. Forms: α. 5 sprynhold, 6 spryngolde, 6–7 springold(e, 6 -hold, -olte, -ol (springehole). β. 6 spryng-, springalde, -hald, 6–7, 9 springald (9 -alt). γ. 6 spryngall, 6–9 springal, -all; 8 springle. [Of doubtful origin; perh. a formation from SPRING v.1 suggested by prec. In very common use from c. 1500 to 1650; in 19th cent. revived by Scott.]
1. A young man, a youth, a stripling.
α. c. 1440. Alph. Tales, 221. When he was a grete yong sprynhold, sho wold kys hym & halsse hym.
1518. Whitinton, De Heteroclitis Nom., A iv. Pubes, spryngolde. Ibid. (1534), Tullyes Offices, I. (1540), 48. Marcus Drusus, a yong springolte of synguler grauyte.
1535. Goodly Primer, Passion, III. A certain young springhold that followed Christ.
a. 1575. trans. Pol. Verg. Eng. Hist. (Camden, No. 36), 186. He banished this springehole as relagate in Fraunce.
1664. Cotton, Scarron., I. Wks. (1725), 46. Queen Dido ravish’d to behold The Carriage sweet of this Springold.
β. 1501. Douglas, Pal. Hon., I. xlv. Lustie Springaldis and mony gudlie lord.
1535. Coverdale, Dan. i. 17. God gaue now these foure spryngaldes connynge and lernynge.
1611. Beaum. & Fl., Knt. Burning Pestle, II. ii. Sure the Devil, God bless us, is in this Springald.
1816. Scott, Old Mort., xiii. ‘A pretty springald this, upon my honour!’ said Claverhouse.
1824. Byron, Juan, XV. lxx. Also the younger men too: for a springald Can’t, like ripe age, in gourmandise excel.
1892. Gunter, Miss Dividends (1893), 197. This will bring your young springald down here very suddenly, I imagine.
γ. 1542. Udall, Erasm. Apoph., 123. Beholdyng a certain young spryngall.
1589. [? Lyly], Pappe w. Hatchet, D iij b. Springalls and vnripened youthes, whose wisedomes are yet in the blade.
1613. Purchas, Pilgrimage (1614), 374. This was their education till 17. yeares of age: at which time they were of the second ranke of Springals and youths.
1693. Dryden, etc., Juvenal (1697), 269. Go, boast your Springal, by his Beauty curst To Ills.
1720. Mrs. Manley, Power of Love (1741), 242. The young Springle … promised her all she could ask.
1748–58. Mendez, Sqr. Dames, I. xv. in Dodsley, Coll. Poems (1755), IV. 130. The springal was in wholesom lustihed.
1819. Scott, Ivanhoe, xii. This same springal, who conceals his name,… hath already gained one prize.
1890. F. W. Robinson, Strange Family, 68. I loved this … warm-hearted, hot-headed springall.
2. attrib. as adj. Youthful, adolescent.
Cf. Cheshire dial. springow, nimble, active.
a. 1614. J. Melvill, Diary (Wodrow Soc.), 119. To be sa miserablie corrupted in the entress of his springall age.
1633. Ford, Broken Heart, III. ii. Your fiery metal, or your springal blaze Of huge renown.
