See Also: sprig(medicine)
sprig(1)(dictionary)
sprig(2)(dictionary)
sprig(dictionary)

sprig(2) (iou)



sprig noun2 & verb2. ME.
[from or rel. to synon. Low German sprick: for the final g see SAG verb.]
A. noun.
A small branch, shoot, or spray of a plant, shrub, or tree; a spray of a particular plant etc. ME.
H. James Gertrude..plucked a small sprig from a lilac-bush. M. Drabble A sprig of parsley tucked jauntily behind one ear.
fig.
a. An offshoot or a minor development of something. L16.
b. A scion or young representative of a class, institution, etc. Usu. derog. E17.
J. Krantz These young sprigs of the old aristocracy had been reduced to working for their living.
c. A young lad, a youth. Usu. derog. M17.
a. A brooch or piece of jewellery resembling a sprig or spray. L16.
b. A representation of a sprig used in a design decorating fabric, ceramic ware, etc. L18.
c. A small piece of lace made for use in composite work. M19.
a. A branch of a nerve, vein, etc. M17-M18.
b. A piece of some substance or material resembling a sprig, spray, or twig of a plant. M17.
Comb.: sprigtail (a) (now rare) a short pointed tail; (b) US the pintail duck; sprig-tailed adjective having a sharp-pointed tail.
b. verb. Infl. -gg-.
a. verb intrans. Form rootlets. Only in E17.
b. verb trans. Divide into small branches. Only in M17.
verb trans. Ornament (fabric) with sprigs; decorate (ceramic ware) with sprigs or other designs in applied relief. M18.
A. Schlee Her frock, cotton, pink, sprigged with little brown flowers.
sprigger noun2 L19.
spriglet noun (rare) a little sprig L19.