Propels oneself into the air with a sudden push from the legs, or moves suddenly in surprise or fear.
Origin uncertain, possibly from Middle English or Germanic roots. First documented in English around 1500s, originally meaning 'to leap or spring,' later expanded to include sudden movements and emotional reactions.
When you jump, your body performs an incredibly complex calculation—your brain must estimate distance, angle, and power in milliseconds while firing hundreds of muscles in perfect sequence, all without conscious thought!
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.