~ 1
■ verb ( past and past participle spilt or ~ed )
1》 (with reference to liquid) flow or cause to flow over the edge of its container.
2》 discharge or be discharged from a container or place.
3》 informal reveal (confidential information).
4》 cause to fall off a horse or bicycle.
5》 Sailing let (wind) out of a sail, typically by slackening the sheets.
■ noun
1》 a quantity of liquid that has ~ed or been spilt.
↘an instance of a liquid ~ing or being spilt.
2》 a fall from a horse or bicycle.
3》 Austral. a vacating of all or several posts in a cabinet or parliamentary party to allow reorganization.
Phrases
~ the beans informal reveal secret information unintentionally or indiscreetly.
~ blood kill or wound people.
~ one's guts informal reveal much information in an uninhibited way.
Derivatives
~age noun
~er noun
Origin
OE ~an 'kill, waste, shed blood'.
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~ 2
■ noun a thin strip of wood or paper used for lighting a fire, pipe, etc.
Origin
ME: obscurely related to spile .