Springboard
/ˈsprɪŋˌbɔːrd/noun
A board used for jumping, or a launching point for further action or success.
Did you know?The word is a transparent compound from Old English roots, and its modern metaphorical sense turns physical propulsion into a language of opportunity and momentum.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
springan
“to leap, burst forth, or move suddenly”
Old English
OE
bord
“a plank, board, or flat surface”
Middle English
ME
spring bord
“a board used for springing or jumping”
18th–19th Century
English
springboard
“a board for launching a jump or dive”
Modern English
English
springboard
“a launching point or starting platform for something larger”