Lep

/lɛp/ verb

Definition

Past tense of 'leap' in some dialects; to jump or spring quickly. Also used as an abbreviation for various terms.

Etymology

Dialectal past tense of 'leap', from Old English 'hleapan'. Some dialects maintained this form while standard English adopted 'leaped' or 'leapt'.

Kelly Says

This archaic past tense survives in poetry and regional dialects, preserving the strong verb pattern that English has largely abandoned. It appears in phrases like 'he lep over the fence' in rural American English.

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