spittle

• IPA^(key): /ˈspɪ.t(ə)l/

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• Rhymes: -ɪtəl

Alteration of dialectal spattle (by association with spit (noun)), from Old English spātl, which is related to spǣtan (whence spit (verb)).

spittle (countable and uncountable, plural spittles)

1. Spit, usually frothy and of a milky coloration.
2. Something frothy and white that resembles spit.
3. Spit-up or drool of an infant.

• fasting spittle
• lickspittle
• spittly

spittle (countable and uncountable, plural spittles)

1. (now archaic) Alternative form of spital
   • a. 1633, George Herbert, The Thanksgiving:

     I'll build a spittle, or mend common ways […]

Representing a frequentative form of spit (“a spade's depth”), equivalent to spit +‎ -le.

spittle (countable and uncountable, plural spittles)

1. A small sort of spade.

spittle (third-person singular simple present spittles, present participle spittling, simple past and past participle spittled)

1. To dig or stir with a small spade.

• pittles