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spill

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Spill is to empty out on a surface, to overflow over the edge of a container, or to cause a liquid to overflow, or to reveal a secret, or to leave somewhere quickly as part of a big group.

(verb)

When all of the pennies come out of the penny jar and onto the table, this is an example of when they spill out onto a table.
When a pot overflows and water comes over the edge, this is an example of when water spills over.
When you accidentally knock over the glass containing your soda, this is an example of when you spill.
When you accidentally blurt out your friend's secret to her husband, this is an example of when you spill the secret.
When a huge crowd all leaves a movie theatre at once, this is an example of when the crowd spills out.

The definition of a spill is a fall, or an instance where you cause liquid or some other substance to come out of its container.

(noun)

When you tumble down stairs, this is an example of when you take a spill.
When you knock over your glass and soda goes everywhere, the soda is an example of a spill.

See spill in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb spilled or spilt, spilling

to allow or cause, esp. unintentionally or accidentally, to run, fall, or flow over from a container, usually so as to result in loss or waste: who spilled the milk?
to shed (blood)
1. to empty the wind from (a sail)
2. to lessen the pressure of (wind) on a sail
to scatter at random from a receptacle or container
to cause or allow (a rider, load, etc.) to fall off; throw off
Informal to let (something secret) become known; divulge
Obsolete
1. to kill
2. to destroy or ruin
3. to squander; waste

Origin: ME spillen < OE spillan, to destroy, squander, akin to MHG spillen, to split < IE base *(s)p(h)el-, to split, split off > spall, L spolium

intransitive verb

to be spilled from a container; overflow; run out

noun

the act of spilling
the amount spilled
spillway
a fall or tumble, as from a horse or from a vertical position

noun

a splinter
a splinter, thin roll of paper, etc., set on fire and used to light a pipe, candle, etc.
a paper cone or roll used as a container
a small plug for stopping up a hole; spile
a small metal peg, pin, or rod

Origin: ME spille, prob. via dial. spil < ON spila, a splinter, akin to spile

See spill in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb spilled spilled or spilt (spĭlt), spill·ing, spills

verb, transitive

To cause or allow (a substance) to run or fall out of a container.
To scatter (objects) from containment: spilled the armload of books on the desk.
To shed (blood).
Nautical
a. To relieve the pressure of wind on (a sail).
b. To cause or allow (wind) to be lost from a sail.
To cause to fall: The rider was spilled by his horse.
Informal To disclose (something previously unknown); divulge: The witness spilled all the details about the suspect.

verb, intransitive

To run or fall out of a container or containment.
To come to the ground suddenly and involuntarily.
To pour out or spread beyond limits: Fans spilled onto the playing field.

noun

The act of spilling.
An amount spilled.
A fall, as from a horse.
A spillway.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English spillen, to shed blood, to spill

Origin: , from Old English spillan, to kill

Related Forms:

spillˈer noun

Word History: Crying over spilt milk is pointless because it cannot undo the damage, which in the literal sense of this phrase is trivial; but in the Middle Ages spill was used for actions that seem to demand tears. Old English spillan, the ancestor of Modern English spill, meant such things as “to destroy, mutilate, kill.” The senses “to waste” and “to shed blood” connect these earlier uses with substances falling out of containers, often wastefully. But many people, castles, and fortunes were “spilled” before people started spilling milk, at least judging from the recorded evidence. Spill is first recorded in the sense “to cause a substance to fall out of a container” in a work composed in the 14th century. Since then most of the senses having to do with violent destruction have become obsolete or archaic, but we still speak of spilling blood, as well as milk, water, and gravy.

noun