spile Hear it!

spile definition

spile (spīl)

noun

  1. a plug or spigot, as for a barrel
  2. ☆ a tap or spout driven into a maple tree to draw off sap
  3. a heavy stake or timber driven into the ground as a foundation or support

Etymology: MDu, splinter, skewer, bar, spindle: for IE base see spike

transitive verb spiled, spiling spil′·ing

  1. to furnish or support with spiles, or stakes
  2. to set a spile into (a tree, barrel, etc.)
  3. to draw off (liquid) through a spile
  4. to stop up (a hole) with a spile, or plug

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.