Spurt grass (Bot.), a rush fit for basket work. Dr. Prior.
Spurt (?), n. [Cf. Icel. sprette a spurt, spring, run, spretta to
sprit, spring.] A sudden and energetic effort, as in an emergency; an
increased exertion for a brief space.
The long, steady sweep of the so-called "paddle" tried him almost
as much as the breathless strain of the spurt.
T. Hughes.
Spurt, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Spurted; p. pr. & vb. n. Spurting.] To make
a sudden and violent exertion, as in an emergency.
Spur"tle (?), v. t. [Freq. of spurt.] To spurt or shoot in a scattering
manner. [Obs.] Drayton.
Spur"way` (?), n. [Prov. E. spoor a track, trace (AS. spor) + way.] A
bridle path. [R.]
Spur"-winged` (?), a. (Zoöl.) Having one or more spurs on the bend of
the wings.
Spur-winged goose (Zoöl.), any one of several species of long-legged
African geese of the genus Plectropterus and allied genera, having a
strong spur on the bend of the wing, as the Gambo goose (P. Gambensis)
and the Egyptian, or Nile, goose (Alopochen Ægyptiaca). -- Spur-winged
plover (Zoöl.), an Old World plover (Hoplopterus spinosus) having a
sharp spur on the bend of the wing. It inhabits Northern Africa and the
adjacent parts of Asia and Europe.
Sput (?), n. (Steam Boiler) An annular reënforce, to strengthen a place
where a hole is made.
Spu*ta"tion (?), n. [L. sputare to spit, v. intens. fr. spuere to spit:
cf. F. sputation.] The act of spitting; expectoration. Harvey.
Spu"ta*tive (?), a. Inclined to spit; spitting much. Sir H. Wotton.
Spute (?), v. t. [Abbrev. from dispute.] To dispute; to discuss. [Obs.]
Wyclif.
Sput"ter (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sputtered (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Sputtering.] [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.
Sput"ter, v. t. 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.
Sput"ter, n. Moist matter thrown out in small detached particles; also,
confused and hasty speech.
Sput"ter*er (?), n. One who sputters.
||Spu"tum (?), n.; pl. Sputa (#). [L., from spuere, sputum, to spit.]
||That which is expectorated; a salival discharge; spittle; saliva.
Spy (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Spying.] [OE.
spien, espien, OF. espier, F. épier, OHG. speh&?;n, G. spähen; akin to
L. specere to see, Skr. spa(&?;). &?; 169. Cf. Espy, v.t., Aspect,
Auspice, Circumspect, Conspicuouc, Despise, Frontispiece, Inspect,
Prospect, Respite, Scope, Scecimen, Spectacle, Specter, Speculate,
Spice, Spite, Suspicion.] To gain sight of; to discover at a distance,
or in a state of concealment; to espy; to see.
One in reading, skipped over all sentences where he spied a note of
admiration.
Swift.