capriole

noun

cap·​ri·​ole ˈka-prē-ˌōl How to pronounce capriole (audio)
1
: a playful leap : caper
2
: a vertical leap by a trained horse that is made with a backward kick of the hind legs at the height of the leap
capriole intransitive verb

Word History

Etymology

Middle French or Old Italian; Middle French capriole, from Old Italian capriola, from capriolo roebuck, from Latin capreolus goat, roebuck, from capr-, caper he-goat; akin to Old English hæfer goat, Greek kapros wild boar

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of capriole was in 1594

Dictionary Entries Near capriole

Cite this Entry

“Capriole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capriole. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.

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