What does "guttle" mean?
An act of swallowing voraciously.
Guttle
/ˈɡʌtl̩/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An act of swallowing voraciously.
- Grammar: guttle is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: batten, bolt, cram, devour.
- Usage evidence: VVhy a Hot Iron vvould have Hiſs'd if you had but Spit upon't. The Fool carry'd this Philoſophy avvay vvith him, and took an Occaſion aftervvard to Spit in his Porridge, to try if they'd Hiſs. They did not Hiſs it ſeems, and ſo he Guttled 'em up, and Scalt his Chops.
How to use "guttle"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "guttle" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "guttle" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "guttle" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "guttle" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "batten" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An act of swallowing voraciously. UK, archaic, dialectal
"The top of the great stained glass windows at each end of the hall, are cut off to accommodate a new flat plaster roof;—the old Gothic one, with its rich groining and carved work, could not be renewed but at the expense of at least two guttles!"
- 2 One who eats voraciously; a glutton. UK, archaic, dialectal
"[P]lague tak the greedy guttles, I wish they wud gie ae meal, out o' the five, to their head."
- 3 Something which is eaten voraciously. UK, archaic, dialectal, obsolete, rare
"And can you paſs by money fixed in mud, / Nor ſvvallovv vvith your guttle mercurial ſpittle?"
Verb
- 1 Often followed by down or up: to swallow (something) greedily; to gobble, to guzzle. UK, archaic, dialectal, transitive
"VVhy a Hot Iron vvould have Hiſs'd if you had but Spit upon't. The Fool carry'd this Philoſophy avvay vvith him, and took an Occaſion aftervvard to Spit in his Porridge, to try if they'd Hiſs. They did not Hiſs it ſeems, and ſo he Guttled 'em up, and Scalt his Chops."
- 2 To remove the guts or entrails from (a person or an animal); to disembowel, to eviscerate, to gut. Scotland, UK, archaic, dialectal, transitive
- 3 To make a bubbling sound; to gurgle. Northern-England, UK, archaic, dialectal, intransitive
- 4 eat greedily wordnet
- 5 To eat voraciously; to gorge. UK, archaic, dialectal, intransitive
"One, Frugal, on his Birth-Day fears to dine: / Does at a Penny's coſt in Herbs repine, / And hardly dares to dip his Fingers in the Brine. / Prepar'd as Prieſt of his ovvn Rites, to ſtand, / He ſprinkles Pepper vvith a ſparing hand. / His Jolly Brother, oppoſite in ſence, / Laughs at his Thrift; and laviſh of Expence, / Quaffs, Crams, and Guttles, in his ovvn defence."
Example
"VVhy a Hot Iron vvould have Hiſs'd if you had but Spit upon't. The Fool carry'd this Philoſophy avvay vvith him, and took an Occaſion aftervvard to Spit in his Porridge, to try if they'd Hiſs. They did not Hiſs it ſeems, and ſo he Guttled 'em up, and Scalt his Chops."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "guttle"?
Common synonyms include: batten, bolt, cram, devour, engorge, glut.
How do you use "guttle" in a sentence?
VVhy a Hot Iron vvould have Hiſs'd if you had but Spit upon't. The Fool carry'd this Philoſophy avvay vvith him, and took an Occaſion aftervvard to Spit in his Porridge, to try if they'd Hiſs. They did not Hiſs it ſeems, and ſo he Guttled 'em up, and Scalt his Chops.
How do you pronounce "guttle"?
Pronounced /ˈɡʌtl̩/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
The verb is possibly derived from gut (“belly”) + -le (frequentative suffix), perhaps influenced by guzzle (“to drink or eat quickly, voraciously, or to excess; to gulp down; to swallow greedily, continually, or with gusto”). The noun is derived from the verb.
Etymology 2
Borrowed from Scots guttle, from gut (“to eviscerate”) + -le (frequentative suffix).
Etymology 3
Origin unknown; possibly imitative of water bubbling or gurgling.