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. 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). spitter n.
[ OE spittan, of imit. orig.: cf. SPEW ]