spit¹ (spĭt)
n.

1. Saliva, especially when expectorated; spittle.
2. The act of expectorating.
3. Something, such as the frothy secretion of spittle bugs, that resembles spit.
4. A brief, scattered rainfall or snowfall.
5. Informal. The perfect likeness: He's the spit and image of his father.

v., spat (spăt), or spit, spit·ting, spits.

v.tr.

1. To eject from the mouth: spat out the grape seeds.
2. To eject as if from the mouth: a fire spitting sparks.
3. To emit suddenly and forcefully: spat out an insult.

v.intr.

1. To eject matter from the mouth; expectorate.
2. To express contempt or animosity by or as if by ejecting matter from the mouth.
3. To make a hissing or sputtering noise.
4. To rain or snow in light, scattered drops or flakes.

phrasal verb:

spit up

1. To vomit.

[Middle English, from spitten, to spit, from Old English spittan, ultimately of imitative origin.]

spit² (spĭt)
n.

1. A slender, pointed rod on which meat is impaled for broiling.
2. A narrow point of land extending into a body of water.

tr.v., spit·ted, spit·ting, spits.
To impale on or as if on a spit.

[Middle English, from Old English spitu.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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