Refine this word faster
Spittle
Definitions
- 1 A surname.
- 1 Spit, usually frothy and of a milky coloration. countable, uncountable
""Who are you?!" he blurted into the woman's palm, and she shook it off in obvious disgust, wiping spittle onto his D-class uniform."
- 2 Alternative form of spital. alt-of, alternative, archaic, countable, uncountable
"I'll build a spittle, or mend common ways […]"
- 3 A small sort of spade. countable, uncountable
- 4 a clear liquid secreted into the mouth by the salivary glands and mucous glands of the mouth; moistens the mouth and starts the digestion of starches wordnet
- 5 Something frothy and white that resembles spit. countable, uncountable
Show 1 more definition
- 6 Spit-up or drool of an infant. countable, uncountable
- 1 To dig or stir with a small spade.
Etymology
Alteration of dialectal spattle (by association with spit (noun)), from Old English spātl, which is related to spǣtan (whence spit (verb)).
Representing a frequentative form of spit (“a spade's depth”), equivalent to spit + -le.
Representing a frequentative form of spit (“a spade's depth”), equivalent to spit + -le.
Two main origins: * From Middle English spitel (“lodging house”), an occupational surname for someone who was employed at a lodging house. * Americanized spelling of German Spittel, a metonymic occupational surname for someone who worked in an infirmary, from Middle High German spital (“hospital”).
See also for "spittle"
Next best steps
Mini challenge
Unscramble this word: spittle