n. [ AS. sprec; akin to Icel. sprek a stick. Cf. Spray a branch. ] 1. A small shoot or twig of a tree or other plant; a spray; as, a sprig of laurel or of parsley. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A youth; a lad; -- used humorously or in slight disparagement. [ 1913 Webster ]

A sprig whom I remember, with a whey-face and a satchel, not so many years ago. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A brad, or nail without a head. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Naut.) A small eyebolt ragged or barbed at the point. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Sprigged p. pr. & vb. n. Sprigging ] To mark or adorn with the representation of small branches; to work with sprigs; as, to sprig muslin. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having sprigs. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Full of sprigs or small branches. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Sprite. ] 1. Spirit; mind; soul; state of mind; mood. [ Obs. ] “The high heroic spright.” Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

Wondrous great grief groweth in my spright. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A supernatural being; a spirit; a shade; an apparition; a ghost.
Syn. -- sprite. [ 1913 Webster ]

Forth he called, out of deep darkness dread,
Legions of sprights. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

To thee, O Father, Son, and Sacred Spright. Fairfax. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A kind of short arrow. [ Obs. ] Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To haunt, as a spright. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Spright sprite + full. ] Full of spirit or of life; spirited; earnest; vivacious; lively; brisk; nimble; gay. [ Obs. ] -- Spright"ful*ly, adv. [Obs.] Shak. [1913 Webster]

-- Spright"ful*ness, n. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Spoke like a sprightful noble gentleman. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Steeds sprightful as the light. Cowley. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Destitute of life; dull; sluggish. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being sprightly; liveliness; life; briskness; vigor; activity; gayety; vivacity. [ 1913 Webster ]

In dreams, observe with what a sprightliness and alacrity does she [ the soul ] exert herself! Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Compar. Sprightlier superl. Sprightliest. ] [ See Sprite. ] Sprightlike, or spiritlike; lively; brisk; animated; vigorous; airy; gay; as, a sprightly youth; a sprightly air; a sprightly dance. “Sprightly wit and love inspires.” Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

The sprightly Sylvia trips along the green. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) (a) The pintail duck; -- called also sprig, and spreet-tail. [ Local, U.S. ] (b) The sharp-tailed grouse. [ Local, U.S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]