◙ (past or past participle leaped 或 leapt ) 1. [no obj., with adverbial] jump or spring a long way, to a great height, or with great force • 跳，跳跃 »he leapt on to the parapet. 他跳上了护墙。 »Fabia's heart leapt excitedly. 费比亚的心激动地狂跳。 move quickly and suddenly • 飞快移动 »Polly leapt to her feet. 波利飞快跳起。 [with obj.] jump across • 跳越，跳过 »Peter leapt the last few stairs. 彼得跳过最后几步台阶。 make a sudden rush to do something; act eagerly and suddenly • 突然行动，急不可待地行动 »everybody leapt into action. 大家都迫不及待地采取行动。 (leap at)accept (an opportunity) eagerly • 急切接受（机会） »they leapt at the opportunity to combine fun with fund-raising. 他们急切地接受那个将娱乐融入募捐的机会。 (of a price or figure) increase dramatically • （价格，数字）飞涨，急剧增长 »sales leapt by a third last year. 去年销售额急增三分之一。 (leap out)(especially of writing) be conspicuous; stand out • （尤指文字）显眼，突现 »amid the notes, a couple of items leap out. 在笔记中有两三条特别显眼。 ◙ noun 1. a forceful jump or quick movement • 跳，跳跃 »she came downstairs in a series of flying leaps. 她几大步飞跳下楼。 a dramatic increase in price, amount, etc • （价格，数量）剧涨 »a leap of 75 per cent in two years. 两年内75%的剧烈涨幅。 a sudden abrupt change or transition • 突然改变，突然转换 »a leap of faith. 突然改变信仰。 [in place names] a thing to be leaped over or from • ［用于地名］越过（或起跳）处 »Lover's Leap. 情人跳。
【IDIOMS】
◘ a leap in the dark 1. a daring step or enterprise whose consequences are unpredictable • 冒险行动，未知数很大之举 ◘ by (或 in) leaps and bounds 1. with startlingly rapid progress • 突飞猛进地 »productivity improved in leaps and bounds. 生产率突飞猛进地提高。 ◘ leap to the eye 1. (especially of writing) be immediately apparent • （尤指文字）突现，显眼
【派生】
♦ leaper noun
【语源】
1. Old English hlēapan (verb), hlȳp (noun), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch lopen, German laufen (verb), and Dutch loop, German Lauf (noun), all meaning 'run', also to lope