Hot Spring
/ˌhɒt ˈsprɪŋ/noun
A natural spring whose water is significantly warmer than the surrounding ground or air.
Did you know?Many ancient societies built healing sanctuaries around hot springs, believing mineral-rich underground waters carried divine or supernatural power.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kayd- / *sprengh-
“Roots associated with burning or heat, and with sudden movement or leaping”
Proto-Germanic
Germanic
*haitaz / *springaną
“Hot or burning; to leap, burst forth, or spring up”
Old English
Old English
hāt springan
“Hot; to leap, burst, or arise from the ground”
Middle English
Middle English
hot springe
“A warm or heated natural source of water”
Modern English
English
hot spring
“A naturally heated spring, commonly warmed by geothermal activity”