spit

spit

spit¹ [spit]

n.

[ME spite < OE spitu, akin to OHG spizzi, sharp: for IE base see SPIKE¹]

1. a thin, pointed rod or bar on which meat is impaled for broiling or roasting over a fire or before other direct heat

2. a narrow point of land, or a narrow reef or shoal, extending into a body of water

vt.

spitted, spitting

to fix or impale on or as on a spit

spitter

n.

spit² [spit]

vt.

spit or spat, spitting [ME spitten < OE spittan, akin to Dan spytte: for IE base see SPEW]

1. to eject from within the mouth

2. to eject, throw (out), emit, or utter explosively [to spit out an oath]

3. to light (a fuse)

vi.

1. to eject saliva from the mouth; expectorate

2. to rain or snow lightly or briefly

3. to make an explosive hissing noise, as an angry cat

4. to express contempt or hatred by or as if by spitting saliva (on or at)

5. to sputter, as frying fat

n.

1. the act of spitting

2. saliva; spittle

3. something like saliva, as the frothy secretion of certain insects

4. a light, brief shower of rain or fall of snow

5. Informal the perfect likeness or exact image, as of a person: usually in the phrase spit and image [spit′'n im′ij]

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spit up

to regurgitate or cough up