1. v. & n.
--v. (spitting; past and past part. spat or spit)
1. intr. a eject saliva from the mouth. b do this as a sign of hatred or contempt (spat at him).
2 tr. (usu. foll. by out) a eject (saliva, blood, food, etc.) from the mouth (spat the meat out). b utter (oaths, threats, etc.) vehemently ('Damn you!' he spat).
3 intr. (of a fire, pen, pan, etc.) send out sparks, ink, hot fat, etc.
4 intr. (of rain) fall lightly (it's only spitting).
5 intr. (esp. of a cat) make a spitting or hissing noise in anger or hostility.
--n.
1. spittle.
2 the act or an instance of spitting.
3 the foamy liquid secretion of some insects used to protect their young.
Phrases and idioms:
the spit (or very spit) of colloq. the exact double of (cf. spitting image). spit and polish
1. the cleaning and polishing duties of a soldier etc.
2 exaggerated neatness and smartness. spit chips Austral.
sl.
1. feel extreme thirst.
2 be angry or frustrated. spit it out colloq. say what is on one's mind. spitting cobra the African black-necked cobra, Naja nigricollis, that ejects venom by spitting, not striking. spitting distance a very short distance. spitting image (foll. by of) colloq. the exact double of (another person or thing).
Derivatives:
spitter n.
Etymology: OE spittan, of imit. orig.: cf. SPEW 2. n. & v.
--n.
1. a slender rod on which meat is skewered before being roasted on a fire etc.; a skewer.
2 a a small point of land projecting into the sea. b a long narrow underwater bank.
--v.tr. (spitted, spitting)
1. thrust a spit through (meat etc.).
2 pierce or transfix with a sword etc.
Phrases and idioms:
spit-roast cook on a spit.
Derivatives:
spitty adj.
Etymology: OE spitu f. WG 3. n. (pl. same or spits) a spade-depth of earth (dig it two spit deep).
Etymology: MDu. & MLG, OE spittan dig with spade, prob. rel. to SPIT(2)