spill 1
(spĭl)v. spilled or spilt (spĭlt), spill·ing, spills
v.tr.1. To cause or allow (a substance) to run or fall out of a container.
2. To scatter (objects) from containment: spilled the armload of books on the desk.
3. To shed (blood).
4. Nautical a. To relieve the pressure of wind on (a sail).
b. To cause or allow (wind) to be lost from a sail.
5. To cause to fall: The rider was spilled by his horse.
6. Informal To disclose (something previously unknown); divulge: The witness spilled all the details about the suspect.
v.intr.1. To run or fall out of a container or containment.
2. To come to the ground suddenly and involuntarily.
3. To pour out or spread beyond limits: Fans spilled onto the playing field.
n.1. The act of spilling.
2. An amount spilled.
3. A fall, as from a horse.
4. A spillway.
[Middle English spillen, to shed blood, to spill, from Old English spillan, to kill.]
spill′er n.
spill 2
(spĭl)n.1. A piece of wood or rolled paper used to light a fire.
2. A small peg or rod, especially one used as a plug; a spile.
[Middle English spille.]
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.
spill
(spɪl) vb (
mainly tr) ,
spills,
spilling,
spilt or spilled1. (when: intr, usually foll by from, out of, etc) to fall or cause to fall from or as from a container, esp unintentionally
2. to disgorge (contents, occupants, etc) or (of contents, occupants, etc) to be disgorged: the car spilt its passengers onto the road; the crowd spilt out of the theatre.
3. (Medicine) to shed (blood)
4. informal Also: spill the beans to disclose something confidential
5. (Nautical Terms) nautical to let (wind) escape from a sail or (of the wind) to escape from a sail
n6. informal a fall or tumble
7. (Civil Engineering) short for
spillway 8. a spilling of liquid, etc, or the amount spilt
9. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) Austral the declaring of several political jobs vacant when one higher up becomes so: the Prime Minister's resignation could mean a Cabinet spill.
[Old English spillan to destroy; related to spildan, Old High German spaltan to split; see spoil]
ˈspiller n
spill
(spɪl) n1. a splinter of wood or strip of twisted paper with which pipes, fires, etc, are lit
2. (Tools) a small peg or rod made of metal
[C13: of Germanic origin; compare Old High German spilla, Middle Dutch spile stake]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
spill1
(spɪl)
v. spilled spilt, spill•ing, v.t. 1. to cause or allow to run or fall from a container, esp. accidentally or wastefully: to spill a glass of milk.
2. to shed (blood), as in killing or wounding.
3. to scatter: to spill papers all over the floor.
4. a. to let the wind out of (a sail).
b. to lose (wind) from a sail.
5. to cause to fall from a horse, vehicle, or the like.
6. to divulge: to spill a secret.
v.i. 7. (of a liquid, loose particles, etc.) to run or escape from a container, as by careless handling.
8. to move in great numbers; pour out: The children spilled into the playground.
n. 9. a spilling, as of liquid.
10. a quantity spilled.
12. Also called spill′ light`. superfluous or useless light rays, as from photographic lighting units.
13. a throw or fall from a horse, vehicle, or the like.
[before 950; Old English spillan, c. Middle Dutch, Middle Low German spillen, akin to Old English spildan to destroy]
spill′a•ble, adj.
spill2
(spɪl)
n. 1. a splinter.
2. a slender piece of wood or of twisted paper, for lighting candles, lamps, etc.
3. a peg made of metal.
4. a small pin for stopping a cask; spile.
[1250–1300; Middle English spille]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.