/ spɔːn; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
1.
[ v , vn ] ( of fish, frogs , etc. ) to lay eggs
2.
[ vn ] (often disapproving ) to cause sth to develop or be produced :
The band's album spawned a string of hit singles.
■ noun
[ U ] a soft substance containing the eggs of fish, frogs etc.
—see also frogspawn
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : shortening of Anglo-Norman French espaundre to shed roe, variant of Old French espandre pour out, from Latin expandere expand.