bounce

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To spring back after hitting a surface.

   The ball bounced off the wall and rolled away.

2. 2
   verb

   To move up and down repeatedly.

   The children bounced happily on the bed.

3. 3
   verb

   To throw or hit something so that it springs back.

   He bounced the ball against the wall over and over.

4. 4
   verb

   (of a cheque) To be returned by the bank because there is not enough money in the account.

   My rent cheque bounced because my account was empty.

From Middle English bounsen, bunsen (“to beat, thump”), cognate with Scots bunce, bonce (“to bounce”). Of uncertain origin. Perhaps imitative, related to bump, or related to Middle English bonchen (“to pound, beat”) and Dutch bonken (“to bump”). Compare Saterland Frisian bumzje (“to pound, bang, bounce”), West Frisian bûnzje (“to throb, bounce, pulsate”), Dutch bonzen (“to thump, knock, throb, bounce”), German Low German bunsen, bumsen (“to beat, bounce”), German bumsen (“to thud, bang, pound”).

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