springboard

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

springboard
    n 1: a flexible board for jumping upward
    2: a beginning from which an enterprise is launched; "he uses
       other people's ideas as a springboard for his own"; "reality
       provides the jumping-off point for his illusions"; "the point
       of departure of international comparison cannot be an
       institution but must be the function it carries out" [syn:
       {springboard}, {jumping-off point}, {point of departure}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Springboard \Spring"board`\ (-b[=o]rd`), n.
   An elastic board, secured at the ends, or at one end, often
   by elastic supports, used in performing feats of agility or
   in exercising.
   [1913 Webster] Springbok

from Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

19 Moby Thesaurus words for "springboard":
      Lastex, baleen, battledore, chewing gum, elastic, elastomer, gum,
      gum elastic, handball, jumping jack, racket, rubber, rubber ball,
      rubber band, spandex, spring, stretch fabric, trampoline,
      whalebone

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