spray Hear it!

spray¹ Definition

spray (sprā)

noun

  1. a cloud or mist of fine liquid particles, as of water from breaking waves
    1. a jet of fine liquid particles, or mist, as from an atomizer or spray gun
    2. a device for shooting out such a jet
    3. any liquid for spraying from such a device
  2. something likened to a spray of liquid particles a spray of gunfire

Etymology: < or akin to MDu spraeien, to spray, akin to Ger sprühen: see spread

transitive verb

  1. to direct a spray on; treat with a spray
  2. to direct a spray of on some surface, etc.

intransitive verb

  1. to shoot out a spray
  2. to be shot out as a spray

spray¹ Related Forms
sprayer noun
spray² Definition

spray (sprā)

noun

  1. a small branch or sprig of a tree or plant, with leaves, berries, flowers, etc.
  2. a design or ornament like this

Etymology: ME: for IE base see spark

spray Synonyms

spray

n.

splash, spindrift, fine mist, shower; see fog 1, froth.

spray Synonyms

spray

v.

spray Usage Examples

Object

  • graffito: This consists of stealing from shops, burning cars, buying and selling drugs and spraying graffiti.
  • insecticide: Do not panic and do not resort to spraying insecticides indoors where you see ants.

Preposition: with

  • fungicide: Regular spraying with a systemic fungicide helps control black spotting.
  • insecticide: Spray with a recommended insecticide or remove some of the offending foliage.

Adjective modifier

  • nasal: Nicotine ( gum, inhaler, nasal spray or patch ).
  • foliar: This enables better spread and absorption of foliar sprays, and wider drip zones in drip systems.
  • repellent: Of course a bug repellent spray or similar will hopefully keep most bugs at bay.
  • insecticidal: Insecticidal spray is necessary as there are normally a lot of insects, especially in bird nesting material.
  • decongestant: Decongestant sprays Decongestant sprays may be used occasionally to relieve stuffy or blocked noses.
  • incapacitant: There is a significant risk of ignition if a Taser is used near a subject sprayed with CS or PAVA incapacitant spray.

Modifies a noun

  • nozzle: Spray Arms You may need to check that the water spray arm nozzles are free from blockages.
  • booth: A spray tanning room with a fantasy tan spray booth.
  • drift: Incorporating tiny bubbles of air into each spray droplet eliminates much of the spray drift.
  • paint: Using orange spray paint or something similar, mark out a circle.

Noun used with modifier

  • aerosol: Typical causes of false alarm: cooking fumes steam aerosol sprays smoke detectors malicious breaking of alarms.
  • nasal: The rhinitis was thought to be have been of non allergic origin in view of its lack of response to steroid nasal sprays.
  • pepper: We just have to arm ourselves with pepper spray.
  • insecticide: The European Corn Borer is traditionally controlled using chemical or biological insecticide sprays which are applied to the outside of the plant.
  • millet: Twice a week I put a millet spray in the show cage to attract the youngsters into the cage.
  • Bt: Field workers exposed to Bt spray experienced allergic skin sensitization and induction of IgE and IgG antibodies to the spray [ 19 ] .
spray Quotes

Rapt, twirling in thy hand a withered spray, And waiting for the spark from heaven to fall.

—Arnold, Matthew

And all small fowlys singis on the spray: Welcum the lord of lycht and lamp of day.

—Douglas, Gavin

And on that grave where English oak and holly And laurel wreaths entwine, Deem it not all a too presumptuous folly, This spray of Western pine!

—Harte, (Francis) Bret

Now the great winds shorewards blow; Now the salt tides seawards flow; Now the wild white horses play, Champ and chafe and toss in the spray.

—Arnold, Matthew

Browse dictionary entries near spray

  1. sprawl
  2. sprat
  3. sprang
  4. sprained
  5. sprain
  6. sprag
  7. spraddle
  8. Sprachgefühl
  9. SPQR
  10. spp
  1. spray can
  2. spray gun
  3. spread
  4. spread eagle
  5. spread on
  6. spread oneself
  7. spread oneself thin
  8. spread spectrum
  9. spreader
  10. spreading