somersault
UK[ˈsʌməsɔːlt]US[ˈsʌmɚsɒlt]
n
an acrobatic movement in which a person turns head over heels in the air or on the ground.
v
to perform a somersault.
Etymology
the word 'somersault' entered english in the 16th century from the french 'sombresault', an alteration of the old provençal 'sobresaut'. this, in turn, derived from the latin phrase 'supra saltus', meaning 'a leap above' or 'over leap'. the latin components are 'supra' (above, over) and 'saltus' (a leap, from 'salire', to leap). the semantic journey is direct and vivid: from the literal concept of "leaping over" oneself, the term came to specifically denote the tumbling, head-over-heels acrobatic feat we know today. the phonetic evolution through french softened and altered the latin sounds, resulting in the modern english spelling and pronunciation.
Analysis
this word is a loanword from french, ultimately of latin origin. it is treated as a simplex word in modern english as its internal morphemes are not productively used or recognized in contemporary spelling and word formation.
Examples
the gymnast finished her routine with a perfect double somersault.
the child laughed with delight as he learned to somersault on the soft mat.
in his excitement, the puppy seemed to somersault down the small hill.