/spring"keuhl/ , v. , sprinkled, sprinkling , n.
v.t.
1. to scatter (a liquid, powder, etc.) in drops or particles: She sprinkled powder on the baby.
2. to disperse or distribute here and there.
3. to overspread with drops or particles of water, powder, or the like: to sprinkle a lawn.
4. to diversify or intersperse with objects scattered here and there.
v.i.
5. to scatter or disperse liquid, a powder, etc., in drops or particles.
6. to be sprinkled.
7. to rain slightly (often used impersonally with it as subject): It may sprinkle this evening.
n.
8. the act or an instance of sprinkling.
9. something used for sprinkling.
10. Usually, sprinkles . small particles of chocolate, candy, sugar, etc., used as a decorative topping for cookies, cakes, ice-cream cones, and the like.
11. a light rain.
12. a small quantity or number.
[ 1350-1400; ME sprenklen (v.); c. D sprenkelen, G sprenkeln; akin to OE sprengan to sprinkle, make (something) spring, scatter, causative of springan to SPRING ]
Syn. 1. distribute, rain. SPRINKLE, SCATTER, STREW mean to fling, spread, or disperse. To SPRINKLE means to fling about small drops or particles: to sprinkle water on clothes, powder on plants. To SCATTER is to disperse or spread widely: to scatter seeds. To STREW is to scatter, esp. in such a way as to cover or partially cover a surface: to strew flowers on a grave.