Meaning of sputter in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions
  3. Noun
    1. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈspədər/

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  1. Verb

    sputter

    Etymology

    late 16th century (as a verb): from Dutch sputteren, of imitative origin

    Definitions

    1. make an explosive sound

    Examples

    • « sputtering engines »

    Derived terms

  2. 2. cause to undergo a process in which atoms are removed

    Examples

    • « The solar wind protons must sputter away the surface atoms of the dust »
  3. 3. climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling

    Derived terms

  4. 4. utter with a spitting sound, as if in a rage

    Derived terms

  5. 5. spit up in an explosive manner

  6. Noun

    sputter

    Definitions

    1. the noise of something spattering or sputtering explosively

    Examples

    • « he heard a spatter of gunfire »

    Derived terms

  7. 2. an utterance (of words) with spitting sounds (as in rage)

    Derived terms

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