spry

English

Pronunciation

• IPA: /spraɪ/
• Rhymes: -aɪ

Etymology

From British dialectal sprey, from Old Norse sprækr (“nimble, lively”) from Proto-Germanic *sprēkiz (“lively”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)pereg- (“to strew, jerk, sprinkle, scatter”). Cognate with Icelandic sprækur (“lively, spry”), Swedish dialectal sprygg (“brisk, very active, skittish”). More at spark. Related to sprack, sprig, sprug, freckle.

Adjective

spry (comparative sprier, superlative spriest)

1. Having great power of leaping or running; nimble; active.
   • 2012 April 26, Tasha Robinson, “Film: Reviews: The Pirates! Band Of Misfits :”, The Onion AV Club:

     What follows is a bunch of nonstop goofery involving chase sequences, dream sequences, fast-changing costumes and an improbable beard, a little musical help from Flight Of The Conchords, and ultimately a very physical confrontation with a surprisingly spry Victoria.

Translations

nimble, active

• Dutch: kwiek (nl)
• Portuguese: ágil (pt) m and f, ativo (pt) m, serelepe (pt)

• Russian: бойкий (ru) (bojkij), подвижный (ru) (podvižnyj)
• Scottish Gaelic: giobach (gd)