n. & v.
n. 1 a a projecting tube or lip through which a liquid etc. is poured from a teapot, kettle, jug, etc., or issues from a fountain, pump, etc. b a sloping trough down which a thing may be shot into a receptacle. c hist. a lift serving a pawnbroker's storeroom. 2 a jet or column of liquid, grain, etc. 3 (in full spout-hole) a whale's blow-hole.
v.tr. & intr. 1 discharge or issue forcibly in a jet. 2 utter (verses etc.) or speak in a declamatory manner, speechify. up the spout sl. 1 useless, ruined, hopeless. 2 pawned. 3 pregnant. spouter n. spoutless adj.
[ ME f. MDu. spouten, orig. imit. ]