springboard

English

noun
Definitions
  • A diving board consisting of a flexible, springy, cantilevered platform, used for diving into water.
  • (gymnastics) A small platform on springs and usually hinged at one end, used to launch or vault onto other equipment.
  • (figuratively) Anything that gives a person or thing energy or impulse, or that serves to launch or begin something.

Etymology

Compound from English spring + English board (plank).

Origin

English

board

Gloss

plank

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms