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

Origin: < 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

Related Forms:

noun

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

Origin: ME: for IE base see spark

See spray in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. Water or other liquid moving in a mass of dispersed droplets, as from a wave.
  2. a. A fine jet of liquid discharged from a pressurized container.
    b. A pressurized container; an atomizer.
    c. Any of numerous commercial products, including paints, cosmetics, and insecticides, that are dispensed from containers in this manner.
verb sprayed, spray·ing, sprays
verb, transitive
  1. To disperse (a liquid) in a mass or jet of droplets.
  2. To apply a spray to (a surface).
verb, intransitive
  1. To discharge sprays of liquid.
  2. To move in the form of a spray.

Origin:

Origin: From obsolete spray, to sprinkle

Origin: , from Middle Dutch sprayen

.

Related Forms:

  • sprayˈer noun

noun
  1. A small branch bearing buds, flowers, or berries.
  2. Something, such as a decorative motif, that resembles such a branch.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English *sprǽg

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