Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SPRIGHT-FUL, a. [This word seems to be formed on the root of sprag, a local word, pronounced in America, spry. It belongs to the family of spring and sprig.]

Lively; brisk; nimble; vigorous; gay. Spoke like a sprightly noble gentleman. – Shak. Steeds sprightful as the light. Cowley. [This word is little used in America. We use sprightly in the same sense.]