n. & v.
--n.
1. a a utensil consisting of an oval or round bowl and a handle for conveying food (esp. liquid) to the mouth, for stirring, etc. b a spoonful, esp. of sugar. c (in pl.) Mus. a pair of spoons held in the hand and beaten together rhythmically.
2 a spoon-shaped thing, esp.: a (in full spoon-bait) a bright revolving piece of metal used as a lure in fishing. b an oar with a broad curved blade. c a wooden-headed golf club.
3 colloq. a a silly or demonstratively fond lover. b a simpleton.
--v.
1. tr. (often foll. by up, out) take (liquid etc.) with a spoon.
2 tr. hit (a ball) feebly upwards.
3 colloq. a intr. behave in an amorous way, esp. foolishly. b tr. archaic woo in a silly or sentimental way.
4 intr. fish with a spoon-bait.
Phrases and idioms:
born with a silver spoon in one's mouth born in affluence. spoon-bread US soft maize bread.
Derivatives:
spooner n. spoonful n. (pl. -fuls).
Etymology: OE spon chip of wood f. Gmc