spit
spit1 definition
spit (spit)
noun
- a thin, pointed rod or bar on which meat is impaled for broiling or roasting over a fire or before other direct heat
- a narrow point of land, or a narrow reef or shoal, extending into a body of water
Etymology: ME spite < OE spitu, akin to OHG spizzi, sharp: for IE base see spike
Related Forms:
- spitter spit′·ter noun
spit2 definition
spit (spit)
transitive verb spit or spat, spitting spit′·ting
- to eject from within the mouth
- to eject, throw (out), emit, or utter explosively to spit out an oath
- to light (a fuse)
Etymology: ME spitten < OE spittan, akin to Dan spytte: for IE base see spew
intransitive verb
- to eject saliva from the mouth; expectorate
- to rain or snow lightly or briefly
- to make an explosive hissing noise, as an angry cat
- to express contempt or hatred by or as if by spitting saliva (on or at)
- to sputter, as frying fat
noun
- the act of spitting
- saliva; spittle
- something like saliva, as the frothy secretion of certain insects
- a light, brief shower of rain or fall of snow
- Informal the perfect likeness or exact image, as of a person: usually in the phrase spit and image (spit′'n im′ij)
spit Idioms
spit up
to regurgitate or cough up
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