ēˈmit, ə̇ˈ-, usu -id.+V verb
( emitted ; emitted ; emitting ; emits )
Etymology: Latin emittere, from e- + mittere to send — more at smite
transitive verb
1. : to send out : discharge , release : as
a. : to throw or give off or out (as effluvia, light, heat, gases, or charged particles)
a fire emitting heat and smoke
gamma rays may continue to be emitted for years
b. : eject , exude , loose
some puffballs emit myriads of spores
aphids emit a sweet fluid attractive to ants
a cloudy sky emitting occasional drops of rain
c. : transmit 2b
2.
a. : to cause to be issued (as an order or decree) ; especially : to put (as money or bills) into circulation
b. obsolete : publish
3.
a. : to give utterance to (as words, ideas, or emotions) : express
they emitted constant complaints over the lack of conveniences
emitting a stream of angry words
in this book she emits her inmost thoughts concisely and lucidly
b. : to give voice to (sound)
the cricket emitting his shrill chirp
sound cannot be emitted in a complete vacuum
intransitive verb
: to come forth : issue
a sharp odor emitting from a broken gas line
Synonyms:
emit , exude , ooze , vent , exhale , and reek agree in meaning to discharge something such as moisture, vapor, or fumes. emit is the most inclusive in carrying the base meaning
a small hose emitting a dribble of water
a chimney emitting smoke
to emit a groan
to emit a stench
a boat emitting a stream of passengers
exude usually implies an emitting (as of a liquid) through pores, interstices, cracks, and so on, or an action resembling this
to exude a cold perspiration
the resin is made plastic and exuded through a nozzle — J.C.Tarr
to exude confidence — Newsweek
sickened at the evil that a crocodile seems to exude — F. Tennyson Jesse
ooze implies a slow passing (as of a liquid or of gas) through pores or interstices, or a slowness of movement suggesting this
the steam oozing out of the leaky joints — C.S.Forester
the dirt oozes out between the flags of the floor — Donat O'Donnell
a trickle of blood oozing down his face — F.V.W.Mason
vent implies discharge through a relatively small outlet; it stresses the idea of release of what presses for release from within
an exhaust pipe venting a blue smoke
a factory outlet vents warm water into the Miami river — G.X.Sand
the Norman woman would not dare vent her hatred on him — T.B.Costain
vented an impatient snort — Cameron Hawley
exhale implies a breathing out, often of something delicate or subtle
the pans … exhaled a sulphurous stench — T.B.Macaulay
their wet macintoshes … exhaled a smell of rubber — Rebecca West
she exhaled a style and distinction of her own — Osbert Sitwell
reek stresses the emission of smoke, fumes, or strong odors, especially offensive ones
a pipe along a barge was gasping and reeking — Frederick Way
the players, reeking of dirt and sweat — J.J.Godwin
the waiter, a man, was reeking with rose water or musk — Ralph Knight