Search results for 'spit':

spit¹ verb (past tense, past participle spat or (US) spit, present participle spitting) 1 a tr & intr to expel (saliva or phlegm) from the mouth; b intrans to do this as a gesture of contempt • spat in his face. 2 (also spit out) to eject (eg food) forcefully out of the mouth. 3 said of a fire, fat or oil in a pan, etc: to throw off (a spark of hot coal, oil, etc) in a spurt or spurts. 4 to speak or utter with contempt, hate, violence, etc. 5 intrans said of rain or snow: to fall in light intermittent drops or flakes. 6 said especially of a cat: to make a hissing noise in anger, hostility, aggression, etc. noun 1 spittle; a blob of saliva or phlegm that has been spat from the mouth. 2 an act of spitting. spitter noun. spitting noun, adj. be, lie, etc in or within spitting distance (of) to be very close by • The flat's within spitting distance of the office. the spit or very spit colloq an exact likeness; a spitting image • She's the very spit of her mother. spit blood to be utterly furious. spit it out colloq usually said as a command: to say what one has been hesitating to say • Come on, spit it out! Are you saying I'm a liar?
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon spittan.

spit² noun 1 a a long thin metal rod on which meat is skewered and held over a fire for roasting; b a similar device in a gas or electric cooker or oven. 2 a long narrow strip of land that juts out into the water. verb (spitted, spitting) 1 to put (a piece of meat, etc) on a spit. 2 to pierce or stab with something sharp.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon spitu.

spit³ verb (spitted, spitting) to dig or plant using a spade. noun a spade's depth or a spadeful.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon spittan.