Category:Somersault

Som"er*sault, som"er*set, n. Etym: [f. soubresaut a jump, leap, of. Soubresault, it. soprassalto an overleap, fr. L. supra over + saltus A leap, fr. salire to leap; or the french may be from sp. sobresalto A sudden asault, a surprise. See supra, and salient.]

Defn: a leap in which a person turns his heels over his head and Lights upon his feet; a turning end over end. [written also Summersault, sommerset, summerset, etc.] "the vaulter's sombersalts." Donne. Now i'll only make him break his neck in doing a sommerset. Beau. & Fl.