somersault Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an acrobatic feat in which the feet roll over the head (either forward or backward) and return
    summersault; flip; summerset; somerset; somersaulting.
  2. verb do a somersault

WordNet

Som"er*sault, Som"er*set noun (Also<
  • Somersault
  • Somerset
)
Etymology
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.
Definitions
  1. 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