Sputtered

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Sputter \Sput"ter\ (sp[u^]t"t[~e]r), v. i. [imp. & p. p.
     {Sputtered} (-t[~e]rd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Sputtering}.] [From
     the root of spout or spit to eject from the mouth. Cf.
     {Splutter}.]
     1. To spit, or to emit saliva from the mouth in small,
        scattered portions, as in rapid speaking.


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     2. To utter words hastily and indistinctly; to speak so
        rapidly as to emit saliva.
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              They could neither of them speak their rage, and so
              fell a sputtering at one another, like two roasting
              apples.                               --Congreve.
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     3. To throw out anything, as little jets of steam, with a
        noise like that made by one sputtering.
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              Like the green wood . . . sputtering in the flame.
                                                    --Dryden.
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