n. & v.
--n.
1. a a projecting tube or lip through which a liquid etc. is poured from a teapot, kettle, jug, etc., or issues from a fountain, pump, etc. b a sloping trough down which a thing may be shot into a receptacle. c hist. a lift serving a pawnbroker's storeroom.
2 a jet or column of liquid, grain, etc.
3 (in full spout-hole) a whale's blow-hole.
--v.tr. & intr.
1. discharge or issue forcibly in a jet.
2 utter (verses etc.) or speak in a declamatory manner, speechify.
Phrases and idioms:
up the spout sl.
1. useless, ruined, hopeless.
2 pawned.
3 pregnant.
Derivatives:
spouter n. spoutless adj.
Etymology: ME f. MDu. spouten, orig. imit.