I. ˈspit noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English spitu; akin to Old High German spiz spit, spizzi pointed
Date: before 12th century
1. : a slender pointed rod for holding meat over a fire
2. : a small point of land especially of sand or gravel running into a body of water
II. transitive verb
( spit·ted ; spit·ting )
Date: 13th century
: to fix on or as if on a spit : impale
III. verb
( spit or spat ˈspat ; spit·ting )
Etymology: Middle English spitten, from Old English spittan; akin to Middle High German spiutzen to spit
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to eject (as saliva) from the mouth : expectorate
b.
(1) : to express (unpleasant or malicious feelings) by or as if by spitting
(2) : to utter with a spitting sound or scornful expression
spat out his words
c. : to emit as if by spitting ; especially : to emit (precipitation) in driving particles or in flurries
spit rain
2. : to set to burning
spit a fuse
intransitive verb
1.
a.
(1) : to eject saliva as an expression of aversion or contempt
(2) : to exhibit contempt
b. : to eject matter (as saliva) from the mouth : expectorate
2. : to rain or snow slightly or in flurries
3. : to make a noise suggesting expectoration : sputter
•
- spit it out
IV. noun
Date: 14th century
1.
a.
(1) : spittle , saliva
(2) : the act or an instance of spitting
b.
(1) : a frothy secretion exuded by spittlebugs
(2) : spittlebug
2. : perfect likeness
3. : a sprinkle of rain or flurry of snow