sputter
Noun · VerbUS[spuht-er]/ˈspʌtɚ/2 syllables
Synonyms:
spatterspatteringsplattersplatteringspluttersputteringclamberscrambleshinshinnyskinstruggle
Open English WordNet
Verb (5)sputters, sputtered, sputtering
- make an explosive sound“sputtering engines”More general pop
- cause to undergo a process in which atoms are removed“The solar wind protons must sputter away the surface atoms of the dust”More general change, alter
- climb awkwardly, as if by scramblingSynonyms: clamberscrambleshinshinnyskinstruggleMore general climb
- utter with a spitting sound, as if in a rageSynonyms: splutterMore general utter, emit
- spit up in an explosive mannerSynonyms: splutterspit outMore general expectorate, cough up
Noun (2)sputters
- the noise of something spattering or sputtering explosively“he heard a spatter of gunfire”Synonyms: spatterspatteringsplattersplatteringspluttersputteringType of noise
- an utterance (of words) with spitting sounds (as in rage)Synonyms: splutterType of utterance, vocalization
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Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Sput′ter (spŭt′tẽr), intransitive verb [past tense & past participle Sputtered (-tẽrd); present participle & verbal noun Sputtering.]
Origin: 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.
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.— William 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.— John Dryden
Sput′ter transitive verb
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 least pretended incitement, to sputter out the basest accusations.— Jonathan Swift
Sput′ter noun
Moist matter thrown out in small detached particles; also, confused and hasty speech.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54