(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
1.
When liquid or fire ~s from somewhere, or when something ~s liquid or fire, it comes out quickly in a thin, powerful stream.
They ~ed blood all over me. I nearly passed out...
...a fountain that ~s water nine stories high...
I saw flames ~ from the roof.
VERB: V n, V n, V prep, also V
•
Spurt out means the same as ~ .
When the washing machine ~s out water at least we can mop it up...
Wear eye protection when opening the container, since it’s so easy for contents to ~ out.
PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V P
2.
A ~ of liquid is a stream of it which comes out of something very forcefully.
A ~ of diesel came from one valve and none from the other.
= jet
N-COUNT: oft N of n
3.
A ~ of activity, effort, or emotion is a sudden, brief period of intense activity, effort, or emotion.
At adolescence, muscles go through a growth ~...
= surge
N-COUNT: usu with supp
4.
If someone or something ~s somewhere, they suddenly increase their speed for a short while in order to get there.
The back wheels spun and the van ~ed up the last few feet.
VERB: V prep/adv
5.
If something happens in ~s, there are periods of activity followed by periods in which it does not happen.
The deals came in ~s: three in 1977, none in 1978, three more in 1979.
PHRASE: PHR after v