cabrillear

Senses

1. 1.

   to caper; to leap about playfully

   to jump or prance around with exuberant movements (like a kid or young animal)

2. 2.

   to skip or frolic

   to move in a lively, bounding manner; to gambol

3. 3.

   to fidget; to be restless

   to move around nervously or with agitation

Examples

• "Los niños cabrillean en el patio durante el recreo."

  The children caper about in the yard during recess.

• "El potro cabrillaba emocionado cuando vio a su madre."

  The foal pranced excitedly when it saw its mother.

• "Estaba tan nervioso que no paraba de cabrillear en la silla."

  He was so nervous he couldn't stop fidgeting in the chair.

Usage

This verb is somewhat literary or poetic in register, but is used in everyday Spanish to describe playful or restless movement. It derives from *cabra* (goat) and evokes the characteristic jumping movements of goats and kids. Common in both Spain and Latin America.