/ spɪt; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
( spit·ting , spat , spat / spæt; NAmE /
HELP NOTE : spit is also sometimes used for the past tense and past participle, especially in NAmE
)
FROM MOUTH
1.
[ vn ] spit sth (out) to force liquid, food, etc. out of your mouth :
She took a mouthful of food and then suddenly spat it out.
He was spitting blood from a badly cut lip.
2.
[ v ] spit (at / on sb/sth) to force saliva (= the liquid that is produced in the mouth) out of your mouth, often as a sign of anger or lack of respect :
He coughed and spat.
The prisoners were spat on by their guards.
She spat in his face and went out.
SAY STH ANGRILY
3.
to say sth in an angry or aggressive way :
[ v speech ]
'You liar!' she spat.
[ vn ]
He was dragged out of the court, spitting abuse at the judge and jury.
OF AN ANIMAL
4.
[ v ] to make a short angry sound :
Snakes spit and hiss when they are cornered.
OF STH COOKING / BURNING
5.
[ v ] to make a noise and throw out fat, sparks , etc. :
sausages spitting in the frying pan
The logs on the fire crackled and spat.
RAIN
6.
[ v ] ( informal ) (only used in the progressive tenses) when it is spitting , it is raining lightly
•
IDIOMS
- spit it out
- spit venom / blood
- within spitting distance (of sth)
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- spit up
■ noun
IN / FROM MOUTH
1.
[ U ] the liquid that is produced in your mouth
SYN saliva
2.
[ C , usually sing. ] the act of spitting liquid or food out of your mouth
PIECE OF LAND
3.
[ C ] a long thin piece of land that sticks out into the sea / ocean, a lake, etc.
FOR COOKING MEAT
4.
[ C ] a long thin straight piece of metal that you put through meat to hold and turn it while you cook it over a fire
•
IDIOMS
- spit and polish
••
WORD ORIGIN
verb and noun senses 1 to 2 Old English spittan , of imitative origin.
noun senses 3 to 4 Old English spitu , of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch spit and German Spiess .