Category:Sputter

Sput"ter, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sputtered; p. pr. & vb. n. Sputtering.] Etym: [from the root of spout or spit to eject from the mputh. Cf. Splutter.]

1. To spit, or to emit saliva from the mouth in small, scattered Portions, as in rapid speaking.

2. To utter words hastily and indistinctly; to speak so rapidly as to Emit saliva. They could neither of them speak their rage, and so fell a sputtering At one another, like two roasting apples. Congreve.

3. To throw out anything, as little jets of steam, with a noise like That made by one sputtering. Like the green wood. . . sputtering in the flame. Dryden.

Sputter Sput"ter, v. t.

Defn: to spit out hastily by quick, successive efforts, with a Spluttering sound; to utter hastily and confusedly, without control Over the organs of speech. In the midst of caresses, and without the last pretend incitement, to Sputter out the basest accusations. Swift.

Sputter Sput"ter, n.

Defn: moist matter thrown out in small detached particles; also, Confused and hasty speech.