spattering

spat·ter

 (spăt′ər)

v. spat·tered, spat·ter·ing, spat·ters

v.tr.

1. To scatter (a liquid, for example) in drops or small amounts: spattered the paint on the canvas.

2. To spot, splash, or soil with drops or small amounts: The passing car spattered my pants with mud.

3. To strike or land on in a dispersed way: Rain spattered the pavement.

v.intr.

1. To come forth in drops or small amounts: Hot grease spattered in all directions.

2. To fall in a shower or make contact in a dispersed way, as rain or bullets.

n.

1. The act or an instance of spattering: a spatter of mud on his pants.

2. A spattering sound: awakened by the spatter of rain on the window.

3.

a. A drop or splash of something spattered: spatters of paint on his shoes.

b. A small amount; a smattering: just a spatter of praise.

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[Perhaps of Low German origin.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	spattering - the noise of something spattering or sputtering explosively; "he heard a spatter of gunfire" spatter, splatter, splattering, splutter, sputter, sputtering noise - sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound); "he enjoyed the street noises"; "they heard indistinct noises of people talking"; "during the firework display that ended the gala the noise reached 98 decibels"
	2.	spattering - the act of splashing a (liquid) substance on a surface splashing, splattering, spatter, splash painting - the act of applying paint to a surface; "you can finish the job of painting faster with a roller than with a brush"

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.