Som"er*sault (?), Som"er*set (?), n. [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.]

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.

 

© Webster 1913.

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