1. n. & v.
--n.
1. water or other liquid flying in small drops from the force of the wind, the dashing of waves, or the action of an atomizer etc.
2 a liquid preparation to be applied in this form with an atomizer etc., esp. for medical purposes.
3 an instrument or apparatus for such application.
--v.tr. (also absol.)
1. throw (liquid) in the form of spray.
2 sprinkle (an object) with small drops or particles, esp. (a plant) with an insecticide.
3 (absol.) (of a tom-cat) mark its environment with the smell of its urine, as an attraction to females.
Phrases and idioms:
spray-dry (-dries, -dried) dry (milk etc.) by spraying into hot air etc. spray-gun a gunlike device for spraying paint etc. spray-paint paint (a surface) by means of a spray.
Derivatives:
sprayable adj. sprayer n.
Etymology: earlier spry, perh. rel. to MDu. spra(e)yen, MHG spr{aelig}jen sprinkle 2. n.1 a sprig of flowers or leaves, or a branch of a tree with branchlets or flowers, esp. a slender or graceful one.
2 an ornament in a similar form (a spray of diamonds).
Derivatives:
sprayey adj.
Etymology: ME f. OE spr{aelig}g (unrecorded)