spittle
pronunciation
How to pronounce spittle in British English:
UK [ˈspɪtl]
How to pronounce spittle in American English:
US [ˈspɪtl]
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- Noun:
- a clear liquid secreted into the mouth by the salivary glands and mucous glands of the mouth; moistens the mouth and starts the digestion of starches
Word Origin
- spittle (n.)
- "saliva, spit," late 15c., probably an alteration (by influence of spit (n.1)) of Old English spætl, spatl, from Proto-Germanic *spait- (cognates: Old English spætan "to spit"), from PIE root *sp(y)eu- "to spew, spit" (see spew (v.)).
Example
- 1. This is a more significant anecdote than any tale of flying spittle .
- 2. He spat so that the spittle hit the back door of the sedan and walked away .
- 3. Simon yelled , showering her in the spittle of frustration , much like a snake spitting venom .
- 4. How long wilt thou not depart from me , nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle ?
- 5. Jesus took him apart from the crowd , put his fingers into the man 's ears and touched his tongue with spittle .