spout
pronunciation
How to pronounce spout in British English:
UK [spaʊt]
How to pronounce spout in American English:
US [spaʊt]
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- Noun:
- an opening that allows the passage of liquids or grain
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- Verb:
- gush forth in a sudden stream or jet
- talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner
Word Origin
- spout
- spout: see spit
- spout (v.)
- "to issue forcible, as a liquid," early 14c., related to Middle Dutch spoiten "to spout" (Dutch spuiten "to flow, spout"), North Frisian spütji "spout, squirt," Swedish sputa "to spout," from Proto-Germanic *sput-, from PIE *sp(y)eu- "to spew, spit" (see spew (v.)). Meaning "to talk, declaim" is recorded from 1610s. Related: Spouted; spouting.
- spout (n.)
- late 14c., from spout (v.). Cognate with Middle Dutch spoit, North Frisian spütj. It was the slang term for the lift in a pawnbroker's shop, the device which took up articles for storage, hence figurative phrase up the spout "lost, hopeless, gone beyond recall" (1812).
Example
- 1. The aerial can be adjusted to the frequency of those signals by lengthening or shortening the spout .
- 2. To increase bandwidth , and thus transmit more data , such as a video , all you need do is thicken the spout .
- 3. But only zhao mentions that the middle maze pavilion had in front a pair of lions , bearing precious vases on their backs and containing bronze tubes so as to spout water 2 feet .
- 4. If the kettle can 't be turned off and its spout is bunged up because the steam is radioactive , the situation inside will deteriorate .
- 5. The hand-held camera sways as they spout corporate-speak about how they are still going to " develop the most innovative service " for their users , then collapse into giggles over a joking allusion to the catch-line from a burger king advertisement .