I. ˈsprā noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English * spræg, spræc
Date: 13th century
1. : a usually flowering branch or shoot
2. : a decorative flat arrangement of flowers and foliage (as on a coffin)
3. : something (as a jeweled pin) resembling a spray
II. noun
Etymology: obsolete English spray to sprinkle, from Middle Dutch sprayen
Date: 1621
1. : water flying in small drops or particles blown from waves or thrown up by a waterfall
2.
a. : a jet of vapor or finely divided liquid
disinfectant spray s
b. : a device (as an atomizer or sprayer) by which a spray is dispersed or applied
c.
(1) : an application of a spray or by spraying
(2) : a substance (as paint) so applied
III. verb
Date: 1527
transitive verb
1. : to project spray or something resembling spray on or into
spray the table
spray ing the wall with bullets
2. : to disperse or apply as a spray
spray ed some perfume
intransitive verb
1. : to break up into spray
2. : to disperse or apply a spray
3. : to emit a stream or spray of urine
a cat may spray to mark its territory
• spray·er noun