spittle
EnglishEdit
PronunciationEdit
Etymology 1Edit
Alteration of dialectal spattle (by association with spit (noun)), from Old English spātl, which is related to spǣtan (whence spit (verb)).
NounEdit
spittle (countable and uncountable, plural spittles)
- Spit, usually frothy and of a milky coloration.
- Something frothy and white that resembles spit.
- Spit-up or drool of an infant.
Derived termsEdit
TranslationsEdit
spit, usually frothy
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Etymology 2Edit
NounEdit
spittle (countable and uncountable, plural spittles)
- (now archaic) Alternative form of spital
- (Can we date this quote?), George Herbert, The Thanksgiving:
- I'll build a spittle, or mend common ways […]
- (Can we date this quote?), George Herbert, The Thanksgiving:
Etymology 3Edit
Representing a frequentative form of spit (“a spade's depth”), equivalent to spit + -le.
NounEdit
spittle (countable and uncountable, plural spittles)
- A small sort of spade.
VerbEdit
spittle (third-person singular simple present spittles, present participle spittling, simple past and past participle spittled)
- To dig or stir with a small spade.