spill

spill

spill¹ [spil]

vt.

spilled or spilt, spilling [ME spillen < OE spillan, to destroy, squander, akin to MHG spillen, to split < IE base * (s)p(h)el-, to split, split off > SPALL, L spolium]

1. to allow or cause, esp. unintentionally or accidentally, to run, fall, or flow over from a container, usually so as to result in loss or waste [who spilled the milk?]

2. to shed (blood)

3.

a) to empty the wind from (a sail)

b) to lessen the pressure of (wind) on a sail

4. to scatter at random from a receptacle or container

5. to cause or allow (a rider, load, etc.) to fall off; throw off

6. Informal to let (something secret) become known; divulge

7. Obs.

a) to kill

b) to destroy or ruin

c) to squander; waste

vi.

to be spilled from a container; overflow; run out

n.

1. the act of spilling

2. the amount spilled

3. SPILLWAY

4. a fall or tumble, as from a horse or from a vertical position

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☆ spill one's guts

Slang to divulge everything one knows or reveal all one's personal problems

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spill over

to overflow in superabundance or excess

spill² [spil]

n.

[ME spille, prob. via dial. spil < ON spila, a splinter, akin to SPILE]

1. a splinter

2. a splinter, thin roll of paper, etc., set on fire and used to light a pipe, candle, etc.

3. a paper cone or roll used as a container

4. a small plug for stopping up a hole; spile

5. a small metal peg, pin, or rod