• SPRACK
adj. 1747 chiefly Eng. dial. – brisk, active; alert, smart; in good health and spirits
• SPRACKISH
adj. 1882 chiefly Eng. dial. – brisk, active; smart, alert
• SPRACKLE
vb. a1796 Sc. – to clamber
• SPRACKLY
adv. 1393 rare – actively, smartly
• SPRADDLE
vb. 1. 1632 – to sprawl
vb. 2. 1913 – to spread or stretch one’s legs, etc. wide apart
• SPRAG
adj. a1616 rare – smart, clever
n. 1. 1676 obs. exc. Eng. dial. – a twig or spray
n. 2. 1707 rare – a lively young man
n. 3. 1790 Eng. dial. obs. rare – a young salmon
n. 4. a1838 Sc., rare – a person with an arrogant, swaggering manner; a boaster; a braggart
n. 5. 1874 – a young cod
vb. 1916 Aust. sl. – to accost truculently
• SPRAICH
n. 1513 Sc. rare or obs. – a scream or outcry
• SPRAIN
vb. c1440 obs. – to sprinkle
• SPRAING
n. 1513 Sc. – a glittering or brightly-coloured stripe, streak, or ray
vb. 1532 Sc. – to variegate or diversify with coloured stripes or streaks
• SPRAIN ONE’S ANKLE
vb. 1785 euphemism obs. – to be seduced and become pregnant; to lose one’s virginity
• SPRAINTS
n. a1425 – the excrement of the otter
• SPRAINTURE
n. 1481 obs. rare – a sprinkling
• SPRANG
n. 1. 1527 obs. rare – a rung or round of a ladder
n. 2. 1847 rare – a shoot or branch
• SPRANGLE
n. 1896 US – a branching rootlet
vb. 1. a1400 – to struggle; to sprawl, to spread out the limbs
vb. 2. 1495 obs. – to throw out sparks; to sparkle
vb. 3. 1881 – to straggle; to spread out in branches or ramifications
• SPRANGLY
adj. 1840 US – spreading, sprawling
• SPRANK
n. 1. c1300 obs. – a spark
n. 2. 1568 obs. – a display, an exhibition; an ostentatious show
• SPRANKLE
n. 1398 obs. rare – a spark or sparkle
vb. 1. a1387 obs. – to throw out sparks; to sparkle
vb. 2. a1387 obs. – to crackle
• SPRANTLE
vb. 1390 obs. rare – to struggle, to sprawl
• SPRASER; SPRAZER
n. 1905 Brit. sl. – sixpence or a sixpenny piece
• SPRASEY; SPRASSEY; SPRASSY; SPRASY; SPRAZEY; SPRAZI; SPRAZZIE; SPRAZZY
n. sixpence or a sixpenny piece …1905 Brit. sl.
• SPRAT
n. 1. a1475 obs. rare – an evil spirit
n. 2. 1605 rare – a small, weak, or insignificant person
n. 3. 1815 – anything small, valueless, or negligible
n. 4. 1839 sl. – a small coin of little value; a sixpence
n. 5. 1860 – a child, esp. a lively young boy; a young person
• SPRATTLE
n. 1824 Sc. – a struggle, a scramble
vb. 1. a1500 obs. rare – to scatter, to disperse
vb. 2. 1786 Sc. rare – to struggle, to scramble
• SPRAUNCY
adj. 1957 Brit. sl. – smartly or showily dressed
• SPRAUNTSY
adj. 1957 Brit. sl. – smartly or showily dressed
• SPRAWL
n. 1. 1894 Eng. & Amer. dial. – life, animation, energy, vigour
n. 2. Bk1913 Amer. dial. – courage
n. 3. Bk1913 Amer. dial. – initiative
• SPRAY
n. 1. a1400 obs. rare – outcry
n. 2. 1813 obs. – a spree or drinking bout; a frolic
vb. 1. c1425 obs. – to spring, to take rise
vb. 2. 1527 obs. rare – to sprinkle
• SPREAD
n. 1. 1812 sl., obs. – butter
n. 2. 1822 sl. – a banquet a feast, a large meal laid out on a table
n. 3. 1848 obs. rare, orig. US – a newspaper
n. 4. 1857 sl., obs. – a shawl
vb. Bk1903 sl. – to possess carnally
• SPREADACEOUS
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – spreading, sprawling
• SPREAD A RABBIT EAR TO THE BREEZE
vb. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to listen intently
• SPREADATION
n. 1. 1780 obs. – a banquet. a feast, a lavish meal
n. 2. 1925 rare – a spreading over a larger area
• SPREAD BEAVER
n. 1970s sl. – the wide-open vagina, esp. as found in hardcore pornography
• SPREAD EAGLE
adj. 1. 1839 obs. rare – high-sounding, grandiose
adj. 2. 1853 US – extravagant in expression; bombastic, ridiculously boastful, esp. in support or praise of the United States
n. 1. 1597 – a fowl flattened out for roasting
n. 2. 1809 obs. – a term of mild abuse or contempt; a boastful or self-assertive person; an aggressively vocal supporter of the United States
n. 3. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – extravagant boasting, esp. of the United States
vb. 1. 1832 sports usage – to defeat completely, esp. by a considerable distance in a race
vb. 2. 1866 obs. – to speak extravagantly or boastfully; to assert United States interests or claims aggressively
• SPREAD-EAGLEISM
n. 1858 – extravagant boasting, esp. of the U.S.
• SPREAD-EAGLEIST
n. 1877 – a vocal supporter of the United States
• SPREADER
n. 1610 obs. – butter
• SPREAD IT ON THICK WITH A TROWEL
vb. 1599 sl. – to overstate, exaggerate, flatter excessively
• SPREAD ONE’S JENK
vb. 1. 1920s African-American sl. – to have a good time; to sing or enjoy music
vb. 2. 1920s African-American sl. – to have sex
• SPREAD THE SALVE
vb. M19 US sl. – to talk in a conciliatory, soothing manner
• SPREADY
adj. 1960 Brit. colloq., rare – of a meal: large and impressive on the table, lavish
• SPREATH
n. 1. c1425 Sc. obs. – booty, plunder, spoil
n. 2. 1513 Sc. obs. rare – cattle taken as spoil
vb. c1425 Sc. obs. – to pillage or plunder
• SPREATHED
adj. 1825 Eng. dial. – of skin: cracked, rough, or sore, as a result of exposure to cold or damp; chapped
• ‘SPRECIOUS
int. a1652 obs. – an exclamation or oath; God’s precious!
• SPRECKLE
n. 1513 Sc. & N. Eng. dial. – a speck or speckle
• SPREE BOY
n. 1965 Barbados – a person who loves fun but not work
• SPREE KILLER
n. 1983 orig. US – a person who kills in a frenzied, random, apparently unpremeditated manner with no obvious motive; one who kills a number of people at one particular time and location
• SPRENGE
n. a1350 obs. – a sprinkling
vb. 1. a1000 obs. – to sprinkle
vb. 2. a1000 obs. – to scatter; to distribute randomly or irregularly; to disperse
vb. 3. a1382 obs. – to mix together; to blend
• SPRENT
adj. 1825 – bespattered, splashed with dirt
n. 1. c1400 obs. rare – a sprinkler for holy water
n. 2. a1522 – a quick or sudden movement; a jump, a spring; a start; also, a short burst of effort
n. 3. 1710 Sc. rare – vigour or liveliness of movement
n. 4. 1828 chiefly Eng. dial. – a spot, mark, or stain as caused by a liquid being splashed or sprinkled
vb. 1. a1400 obs. – to move suddenly, quickly, or energetically; to spring, to bound; to dart, to dash
vb. 2. c1400 obs. – of blood, etc.: to spurt, to spray; to be emitted with some force in a stream
vb. 3. 1488 obs. – to break or split into small fragments or splinters
vb. 4. 1616 – to sprinkle, spray, or splash a liquid; to spatter or splash
vb. 5. 1647 obs. – of a plant: to sprout; to shoot
• SPRET
vb. 1832 Sc. – to tear, split, or burst, as a seam, etc.; to unravel
• SPRETH
adj. c1315 obs. rare – frail, liable to sin
• SPREW
n. 1633 obs. rare – spray
• SPREZZATURA
n. 1957 – ease of manner, studied carelessness; the appearance of acting or being done without effort
• SPRIG
adj. 1. 1675 obs. – smart, neat, trim; said of a person’s appearance
adj. 2. 1675 obs. – brisk, active, alert, spry
n. 1. 1575 – a small or insignificant specimen of something
n. 2. 1591 – an heir or descendant of a person, family, etc.
n. 3. 1646 – a youth; a stripling
• SPRIGGAN
n. 1754 orig. & chiefly Eng. dial. – a supernatural being, typically characterized as small, ugly, and malicious, and often considered to be associated with ancient earthworks and remote places; a malevolent fairy or sprite
• SPRIGHT
adj. 1658 – sprightly; lively, vigorous
vb. 1. 1531 obs. – to fill with spirit; to inspire with courage or resolve
vb. 2. a1616 obs. – to be haunted or plagued, as if by a sprite or supernatural being
• SPRIGHTFUL
adj. 1. 1550 rare – full of energy or animation; active, vigorous; lively, energetic; also, assertive, determined, bold
adj. 2. 1598 – of an animal: lively, energetic, high-spirited, playful
adj. 3. 1622 obs. – containing alcohol
• SPRIGHTINESS
n. 1607 obs. rare – liveliness, vigour
• SPRIGHTLESS
adj. a1522 rare – lacking spirit, liveliness, or energy; lacking courage or vitality
• SPRIGHTLE UP
vb. 1896 Eng. dial. rare – to become lively or alert
• SPRIGHTLY
adj. 1. 1600 – of a drink, esp. wine: invigorating, vibrant
adj. 2. 1611 – of a sound, tune, etc.: bright, clear, cheerful; lively, energetic
adj. 3. a1616 obs. rare – ghostly, spectral
adj. 4. 1817 – of food or flavour: piquant, tangy; fresh-tasting
• SPRIGHTNESS
n. 1660 rare – vigour, liveliness
• SPRIGHTY
adj. 1. a1522 obs. – vigorous, lively; spirited
adj. 2. 1609 obs. – containing alcohol, spirituous
• SPRIGTAIL
n. 1676 rare – a short or docked tail
• SPRIND
adj. a1000 obs. – vigorous, strong
• SPRING
n. 1. c1440 obs. – the increase or waxing of the moon
n. 2. a1450 – a flock of teal
n. 3. 1559 obs. – a young man; a youth; also, an offspring, a descendent
n. 4. 1578 obs. – a snare, noose, or trap
n. 5. 1753 obs. rare – a trick, an artifice
n. 6. 1901 sl., orig. US – release or an escape from prison
vb. 1. a1000 obs. – to spread; to become known; said of fame, news, a rumour, etc.
vb. 2. a1325 obs. – to sprinkle; to lightly cover with liquid; to moisten
vb. 3. c1330 rare – to grow a beard
vb. 4. c1440 – to make a horse, etc. gallop
vb. 5. a1525 obs. rare – to ascend in the sky
vb. 6. 1585 obs. rare – of a stallion: to copulate with a mare
vb. 7. 1656 obs. rare – to put counterfeit money into circulation
vb. 8. 1686 obs. – to tell a joke; to introduce a witty comment
vb. 9. 1843 obs. rare – to motivate, to inspire
vb. 10. 1853 Amer. dial. – to sprain or strain a part of the body
vb. 11. 1900 sl., orig. US – to release from custody or imprisonment, esp. by securing bail; to enable a person to escape from prison
vb. 12. 1906 Aust. & US sl. – to pay out money
vb. 13. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to intoxicate; to make dead drunk
• SPRING A FASTIE
vb. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to do something clever
• SPRING A FAST ONE
vb. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to do something clever
• SPRINGALD
n. c1450 rare – a young man; a youth
• SPRING A LEAK
vb. 1839 sl. – to urinate
• SPRING BREAKER
n. 1966 Amer. dial. – a sudden short dip in the road
• SPRING CHICKEN
n. 1857 colloq., orig. US – a young person
• SPRINGE
adj. 1859 obs. rare – active, agile
n. 1607 – a stratagem designed to deceive a person or lead him into a dangerous situation; a trap, a snare
vb. a1382 obs. – to sprinkle; to sprinkle or shower water
• SPRINGER
n. 1. c1410 obs. – a source, an origin
n. 2. 1615 obs. – the shoot of a tree or plant; a young tree growing naturally from the stump of an old one
n. 3. 1755 obs. rare – a person who causes game to rise from the ground or from cover during a shoot
n. 4. 1765 – a cow or heifer which is producing milk
n. 5. a1825 Eng. dial. rare – a youth, an adolescent
n. 6. 1860 obs. rare – a person who sets off a mine
n. 7. 1935 nautical sl. – a physical fitness instructor in the navy
• SPRINGER ANTELOPE
n. 1781 obs. – the springbok, Antidorcas marsupialis
• SPRINGER-UP
n. 1851 sl., obs. rare – a tailor who sells ready-made clothes, as opposed to fitted ones
• SPRINGES TO CATCH WOODCOCKS
phr. 1579 – traps to ensnare fools
• SPRING FRET
n. 1897 – a sense of restlessness or desire to wander, felt by humans or animals in the spring
• SPRINGHEAD
n. 1547 – the source or origin of a particular quality, action, state of affairs
• SPRING-HEELED JACK
n. 1838 – a legendary figure with an exceptional ability in running and jumping, enabling him to escape from the scene of various robberies and assaults; later, a highwayman
• SPRINGING
adj. 1556 – youthful; characterized by growth, energy, or vigour
n. 1. a1382 rare – the origin or source of a stream or river
n. 2. a1382 obs. – a sprinkling
n. 3. 1440 obs. rare – the increase or waxing of the moon
n. 4. 1809 rare – a making a warning noise with a rattle; a giving a warning of danger
• SPRINGING OF THE DAY
n. c1380 rare – the first appearance of day
• SPRINGING TIME
n. a1387 rare – springtime
• SPRINGING UP
n. 1769 rare – the rising or first sign of a wind, breeze, etc.
• SPRINGLE
vb. 1. a1425 obs. – to sprinkle
vb. 2. c1460 obs. rare – to sparkle
• SPRINGLESS
adj. 1869 obs. rare – spiritless, lacking vitality
• SPRINGLING
n . 1. 1647 obs. – a youth, a stripling
n. 2. 1873 rare – a young salmon or trout
• SPRING OF THE LEAF
n. 1538 rare – the time when trees begin to burst into leaf; springtime
• SPRING OF THE SEA
n. a1398 obs. – the rising of the sea at high tide; a high tide
• THE SPRING OF THE YEAR
n. 1481 – the first season of the year; springtime
• SPRING OF WOOD
n. c1475 obs. – a copse or grove of young trees or plants
• SPRING ONE’S RATTLE
vb. 1787 – to make a warning noise with a rattle or other implement; to give a warning of danger
• SPRING OUT
vb. a1387 obs. – to flow or gush, esp. in the manner of blood
• SPRING-SHAW
n. 1887 obs. rare – a low strip of young wood forming the border of a field
• SPRING SHOOT
n. 1676 obs. -the time of rapid and plentiful growth in the spring
• SPRINGS OF LIFE
n. 1681 – that which gives, motivates, or inspires liveliness or an enthusiasm for life
• SPRING-TELLER
n. 1785 obs. – a person who searches for underground sources of water using a divining rod or similar technique
• SPRINGTIDE
n. 1. 1530 – the season of spring
n. 2. 1537 – the first state or period of something
n. 3. 1592 – a great quantity or amount of something; a surge or sudden increase of something, such as an emotion or political feeling
• SPRING-TIME
n. 1583 arch. – the period of life when a person is young; youth
• SPRING TO ATTENTION
vb. 1984 UK sl. – to achieve an erection
• SPRINGY
adj. 1593 obs. rare – growing in spring
• SPRINK
adj. 1602 obs. rare – smart, well-dressed
n. 1568 obs. rare – a sprinkle, a little bit
vb. c1390 rare – to sprinkle; to splash
• SPRINKLE
n. 1. 1481 rare – a spot, a speck
n. 2. 1754 – a small quantity or number
n. 3. 1843 rare – a light, tinkling sound
vb. 1. a1398 obs. – to crackle
vb. 2. a1400 obs. – to sparkle
vb. 3. a1522 Sc. rare – to wriggle; to dart quickly
vb. 4. 1526 obs. – to cleanse, to purify
vb. 5. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to intoxicate; to make dead drunk
• THE SPRINKLED
n. 1650 rare – people who have been baptized by having water sprinkled on the head, rather than by immersion
• SPRINKLET
n. 1882 – a small or slight sprinkle
• SPRINKLING
n. 1. a1400 obs. – a sparkling
n. 2. 1594 – a small quantity or amount
• SPRINKLINGLY
adv. 1615 rare – sparsely; sparingly
• SPRINT
n. a1800 Eng. dial. obs. – a quick or sudden movement; a jump, a spring; a start; also, a short burst of effort
vb. 1. 1855 rare – to sprinkle, spatter, or splash with a liquid or other substance
vb. 2. a1878 obs. rare – of plants, etc.: to sprout, to shoot
vb. 3. 1888 Eng. dial. obs. rare – to bound or spring forward
• SPRINTLE
n. a1250 obs. rare – a twig; a shoot
• SPRINT START
n. 1950 – a very fast, energetic, or productive start to any activity or process
• SPRIT
n. 1. a1000 obs. – a pole, esp. one used to propel a barge, etc. a punting pole
n. 2. a1000 obs. – a spear
n. 3. 1622 obs. rare – a young shoot of a tree
n. 4. 1880 Sc. – a sudden quick movement; a spring, a jump, a leap
vb. c1400 chiefly Sc. – to move suddenly, quickly, or energetically; to spring, to dart, to dash
• SPRITE
n. 1. 1340 obs. – the non-physical aspect of a person, esp. considered as the seat of the character, emotions, will, etc.; the soul of a person
n. 2. 1684 – a diminutive, lively, or mischievous person; one likened to a sprite
• SPRITEN
vb. 1614 obs. rare – to put spirit or life into; to enliven, to animate
• SPRITISH
adj. 1538 obs. – overly pious or excessively concerned with the spirit or spiritual matters
• SPRITTLE
n. c1225 obs. – a twig or young shoot
vb. 1585 obs. – to scrape or prise up with a fork, hoe, etc.
• SPRITTLED
adj. a1522 Sc. obs. – speckled
• SPRITUAL
adj. a1450 obs. – relating to the spirit or soul
• SPRITUALITY
n. 1. a1450 obs. – the church or its jurisdiction; the spiritual or ecclesiastical realm
n. 2. 1694 obs. – a being spiritual; spirituality
• SPRITZ
n. 1. 1935 – of wine: the quality of being only slightly sparkling
n. 2. 1957 orig. US – a small quantity or amount of something, esp. when this provides variety or zest
• SPRITZIG
adj. 1950 – of wine: slightly sparkling
n. 1949 – of wine: the quality of being only slightly sparkling
• SPRITZY
adj. 1. 1931 – effervescent, fizzy, bubbly; of a wine: slightly sparkling
adj. 2. 1973 – bright or lively; energetic, exuberant
• SPROD
n. 1617 Eng. dial. rare – a young salmon or sea trout
• SPROG
n. 1. 1941 sl., orig. & chiefly military usage – a new recruit; a trainee, a novice
n. 2. 1944 sl., orig. nautical usage – a baby or young child
vb. 1. 1965 colloq. rare – of a man: to get a woman pregnant
vb. 2. 1967 colloq. – of a woman: to give birth
• SPROGGED
adj. 1990 colloq. – having had a child or children; also, pregnant
• SPROGGIE
n. 1845 Sc. & Eng. dial. – the house sparrow
• SPROGLET
n. 1987 colloq., chiefly Brit. – a baby or small child
• SPRONCY
adj. 1957 Brit. sl. – smartly or showily dressed
• SPRONK
n. 1. a1000 obs. – a shoot or sprout
n. 2. 1838 Eng. dial. obs. – the root or stump or a tree or a tooth
• SPROOK
n. 1. 1902 Aust. & NZ sl. – a speech, esp. one intended to publicize or promote something; a sales pitch
n. 2. 1953 Aust. & NZ sl. – a rant
vb. 1. 1894 Aust. & NZ sl. – to speak in public on a particular topic; to attract custom to a show, shop, etc., by speaking outside the premises
vb. 2. 1901 Aust. & NZ sl. – to discourse on in a public forum; to promote or publicize
• SPROOKER
n. 1893 Aust. & NZ sl. – a public speaker; a person employed to attract custom to a show, a shop, etc.; a barker
• SPROT
n. 1846 obs. rare – an air bubble
• SPROTE
n. 1. a1000 obs. – a shoot; a twig; a rod
n. 2. a1400 obs. – a splinter, a sliver, a chip
n. 3. c1450 obs. – a spot, a freckle
• SPROTED
adj. a1500 obs. – spotted
• SPROTE-WOOD
n. 1847 obs. – brushwood
• SPROTTLE
n. Bk1904 Eng. dial. – the action of a person seeking to regain his balance when falling; a helpless struggle
vb. 1. 1829 Eng. dial. – to struggle helplessly or ineffectually; to sprawl; to kick about helplessly;
vb. 2. Bk1904 Eng. dial. – to hoe roughly; to loosen weeds with a hoe
• SPROTY
adj. a1500 obs. rare – spotted, freckled
• SPROUNCEY
adj. B1900 Eng. dial. – cheerful, jolly; slightly intoxicated
• SPROUNT
vb. 1890 rare – to sprout
• SPROUSE
n. 1931 Brit. sl. – sixpence or a sixpenny piece
• SPROUT
n. 1. 1611 obs. – an offspring, a descendant
n. 2. 1676 US & S. Afr. obs. – a branch of a river
n. 3. 1813 colloq. – a young person, a child
n. 4. 1874 – a clump or tuft of hair
• SPROUT CAULIFLOWER
n. 1721 obs. rare – broccoli; spouting broccoli
• SPROUTER
n. 1952 – a child or young person who grows or develops quickly
• SPROUT-LAND
n. 1824 US, rare – formerly cultivated land covered with young trees or shrubs
• SPROWSER
n. 1931 Brit. sl. – sixpence or a sixpenny piece
• SPROWSIE
n. 1931 Brit. sl. – sixpence or a sixpenny piece
• SPRUCE
adj. 1590 rare – lively, brisk, spry: said of a person or their behaviour or demeanour
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a gullible person; a dupe
vb. 1. 1917 Brit. sl., orig. services’ usage – to tell tall tales; to lie in order to evade a duty; to malinger or shirk one’s duty
vb. 2. 1919 sl. – to deceive, to trick, to dupe
• THE SPRUCE
n. 1640 Sc. obs. rare – Prussian people, considered collectively
• SPRUCE BEER
n. c1500 obs. – beer from Prussia
• SPRUCER
n. 1917 sl. – someone who deceives others, usually playfully
• SPRUCERY
n. 1. 1603 humorous usage, obs. rare – the notional department responsible for spruceness or neatness
n. 2. 1813 obs. rare – a being spruce; spruceness
• SPRUCIER
n. 1443 obs. rare – a native or inhabitant of Prussia
• SPRUCIFY
vb. 1611 rare – to make neat, trim, or attractive in appearance; to smarten; to spruce up
• SPRUCY
adj. 1. 1774 – smart in appearance; neat, dapper, attractive
adj. 2. 1858 Amer. dial. – lively in movement or demeanour; brisk, spry
• SPRUE
n. 1730 – asparagus with very thin, tender stalks
• SPRUE GRASS
n. 1822 – asparagus with very thin, tender stalks
• SPRUG
n. 1815 Sc. & Eng. dial. – the house sparrow
vb. 1622 obs. – to smarten a person up; to dress smartly or attractively
• SPRUGGIE
n. 1845 Sc. & Eng. dial. – the house sparrow
• SPRUIK
n. 1. 1902 Aust. & NZ sl. – a speech, esp. one intended to publicize or promote something; a sales pitch
n. 2. 1953 Aust. & NZ sl. – a rant
vb. 1. 1894 Aust. & NZ sl. – to speak in public on a particular topic; to attract custom to a show, shop, etc., by speaking outside the premises
vb. 2. 1901 Aust. & NZ sl. – to discourse on in a public forum; to promote or publicize
• SPRUIKER
n. 1893 Aust. & NZ sl. – a public speaker; a person employed to attract custom to a show, a shop, etc.; a barker
• SPRUIT
n. 1832 S. Afr. – a small stream or watercourse, usually containing little or no water except in the rainy season
• SPRUN
n. 1684 obs. – a root of a tree
• SPRUNG
adj. 1. c1500 obs. – of a horse: lame; ridden to exhaustion
adj. 2. 1597 – of a mast or other wooden object: cracked, split
adj. 3. 1605 obs. – of a game bird: startled into flying or rising from cover
adj. 4. 1821 sl. – drunk
adj. 5. 1912 Amer. dial. – of a part of the body: sprained, strained
adj. 6. 1990 US sl. – (usually ‘sprung on’) besotted or infatuated with
n. Bk1998 drug culture sl. – a person just starting to use drugs
• SPRUNK
n. 1746 obs. rare – a display of wealth or grandeur
• SPRUNKING
n. a1685 rare – a beautifying or adorning oneself
• SPRUNKING GLASS
n. a1685 rare – a mirror
• SPRUNNY
adj. 1733 Eng. dial. – neat, spruce, smart
n. 1739 chiefly Eng. dial. – a lover, a sweetheart
• SPRUNT
adj. 1631 obs. – brisk, active; smart, spruce
n. 1. 1660 obs. – a quick or convulsive movement; a start; a spring or bound
n. 2. 1720 obs. – something pert, perky, or springy
vb. 1. 1601 obs. – to move quickly or convulsively; to spring, to start; to dart, to run
vb. 2. 1802 Sc. rare – to pay romantic or amorous attention to a person; to seek to gain the affections of a person
• SPRUNTING
n. 1. 1647 obs. – a twitching, a writhing; a moving convulsively
n. 2. 1823 Sc. rare – a courting, a wooing
• SPRUNTLY
adv. 1631 obs. – smartly, sprucely
• SPRUSADO
n. 1665 obs. – a smartly-dressed person; a spruce fellow; a dandy
• SPRUTTLE
n. 1553 Sc. obs. – a small spot, a speckle
• SPRY
vb. 1. 1878 rare – to smarten up
vb. 2. 1885 rare – to bustle, to stir
• SPRY AS A JAYBIRD IN WILD CHERRY TIME
adj. 1952 Amer. dial. – extremely spry
• SPUD
n. 1. c1440 obs. – a short and poor knife or dagger
n. 2. 1688 – a short or stumpy person or thing
n. 3. 1845 sl. – a potato
n. 4. 1960 sl. – a hole in a sock or stocking though which the skin shows
vb. 1920s African-American sl. – to play cards for a small amount of money
• SPUD BARBER
n. 1935 jocular usage – a potato peeler
• SPUD-BASHING
n. 1940 Brit. sl., orig. services’ usage – peeling potatoes; a lengthy spell of peeling potatoes
• SPUDDER
n. 1650 rare – fuss, disturbance, bother
• SPUDDLE
vb. 1630 obs. exc. Eng. dial. – to work feebly or ineffectively
• SPUDDY
adj. a1825 – short and fat or plump; thickset
n. B1900 sl. – a seller of bad potatoes
• SPUDHOLE
n. World War I Amer. sl. – a guardroom
• SPUD ISLANDER
n. 1957 Can. sl. – a native or inhabitant of Prince Edward Island
• SPUD SQUASHER
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a potato masher
• SPUFFLE
vb. 1. a1825 Eng. dial. – to fuss, to bustle; to be in a flurry or in breathless haste
vb. 2. 1861 Eng. dial. – to utter thickly or indistinctly
• SPUG
n. 1808 chiefly Sc. & Eng. dial. – the house sparrow
• SPUGGIE; SPUGGY
n. 1874 Sc. & Eng. dial. – the house sparrow
• SPULE
n. 1803 Sc. – a shoulder, esp. of an animal
• SPULYIATION
n. a1688 Sc. obs. rare – spoliation; a taking goods or property from somewhere by illegal or unethical means
• SPULYIE
n. 1. 1464-5 Sc. arch. – a despoiling; spoliation
n. 2. 1507 Sc. arch. – spoil, booty, plunder
vb. a1400 chiefly Sc. arch. – to plunder or despoil
• SPUME
n. 1. 1390 – foam, froth, frothy matter
n. 2. c1440 – foam of the sea
vb. c1400 – to foam, to froth
• SPUMEOUS
adj. 1635 obs. – foamy, frothy
• SPUMESCENCE
n. 1794 – frothiness; a being foamy
• SPUMESCENT
adj. 1856 – having the appearance of foam or froth
• SPUMID
adj. 1656 obs. rare – foamy, frothy
• SPUMIFEROUS
adj. 1656 obs. rare – that bears foam, froth, or scum
• SPUMIFICATION
n. 1615 rare – production of froth
• SPUMIFORM
adj. 1805 rare – froth-like, frothy
• SPUMINESS
n. 1727 rare – frothiness
• SPUMOSE
adj. 1576 rare – having the appearance of froth or foam
• SPUMOUS
adj. c1400 – having the appearance of froth or foam
• SPUMY
adj. 1. 1582 – covered with sea foam
adj. 2. a1618 – of a frothy character
• SPUNG
n. 1728 Sc. – a purse; a fob
vb. 1719 Sc. – to rob
• SPUNK
adj. 1788 obs. – full of spirit; courageous, mettlesome, spirited
n. 1. 1773 sl. – spirit, mettle; courage, pluck
n. 2. 1806 Sc. – a small fire
n. 3. 1808 Sc. – a lively person; one who has more spirit than bodily strength
n. 4. c1890 sl. – seminal fluid
n. 5. 1978 Aust. sl. – a sexually attractive man
vb. 1808 Sc. – to become known; to leak out
• SPUNKIE; SPUNKY
adj. 1. 1786 Sc. – lively, spirited, courageous, mettlesome
adj. 2. 1807 Sc. – haunted by will-o’-the-wisps
adj. 3. 1822 Sc. – irritable, fiery, passionate
adj. 4. 1892 Sc. – generous
adj. 5. 1892 Sc. – plucky, mettlesome
n. 1. 1727 Sc. – a will-o’-the-wisp
n. 2. 1786 Sc. rare – whisky or other spirituous drink; alcohol
n. 3. 1806 Sc. – a spirited, mettlesome, or courageous person; a smart or lively fellow
n. 4. 1821 Sc. – a fiery, hot-tempered, or irritable person
n. 5. B1900 Sc. – a small fire
• SPUNKLESS
adj. 1882 – spiritless; destitute of spunk
• SPUNK OF FIRE
n. 1802 Sc. – a small fire
• SPUNK UP
vb. 1. c1850 US – to show spirit; to stand up, assert oneself spiritedly or courageously
vb. 2. 1898 Sc. – to blaze or fire up in anger or passion
• SPUNK-WATER
n. 1876 US – rainwater that collects in hollow tree stumps, formerly believed to be a cure for warts
• SPUNKY
adj. 1. 1786 – brave, courageous, mettlesome; spirited
adj. 2. 1791 Sc. & N. Eng. dial. – sparkling; burning or shining brightly
adj. 3. 1809 Eng. dial. & US – angry, irritable, irascible
adj. 4. 1975 Aust. sl. – sexually attractive
• SPUNKLESS
adj. cowardly …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SPUN OUT
adj. 1869 – unduly prolonged
• SPUR
n. 1866 Sc. & Eng. dial., rare – the house sparrow
vb. 1. c1400 Eng. dial., obs. rare – to publish the banns of marriage in church
vb. 2. 1513 – to hasten; to proceed hurriedly
vb. 3. 1590 – to strike out with the foot; to kick
• SPURBLIND
adj. 1508 obs. – almost blind; partially sighted
• SPURCIDICAL
adj. 1656 obs. – speaking dishonestly, obscenely, or smuttily; bawdy in speech
• SPURCITIOUS
adj. 1658 obs. rare – filthy, foul, obscene
• SPURCITY
n. 1608 obs. rare – impurity, obscenity
• SPURG
n. 1882 Sc. – the house sparrow
• SPURGE
vb. 1. 1303 obs. exc. Eng. dial. – to cleanse or purify a person, the body, etc.; to free from or rid of impurity; to clear of guilt
vb. 2. a1500 obs. rare – of a tree: to shoot or sprout
vb. 3. 1530 – to empty or relieve the bowels by evacuation
• SPURGIE; SPURKIE
n. 1849 Sc. – the house sparrow
• SPURIA
n. 1918 – spurious works, words, etc.
• SPURIOSITY
n. 1863 rare – something false or illegitimate; a being spurious
• SPURIOUS
adj. 1. 1598 – born out of wedlock; illegitimate
adj. 2. 1615 – not being what it purports to be; not true or genuine; false, fake, sham, counterfeit
• SPURIOUSNESS
n. 1. 1668 rare – illegitimacy, bastardy
n. 2. 1678 – a being false or counterfeit
• SPURK
vb. 1823 Eng. dial. – to brighten or cheer up; said of persons
• SPURL
vb. 1821 Sc. – to sprawl; to scramble
• SPUR LINE
n. 1924 – a railway branch-line
• SPURN
n. 1. a1300 – a stroke with the foot; a kick
n. 2. c1390 obs. – a trip or stumble
n. 3. c1560 obs. rare – an encounter, fray
n. 4. 1601 obs. exc. Eng. dial. – one of the main roots of a tree; an outward- growing root
n. 5. 1604 – a treating with disdain or contemptuous rejection
vb. 1. c1000 obs. – to trip or stumble; to strike against something with the foot
vb. 2. c1000 – to reject with contempt or disdain; to treat contemptuously; to scorn, to despise
vb. 3. 1390 – to trample or kick
vb. 4. c1400 obs. – to kick; to strike or thrust with the foot
vb. 5. a1400-50 obs. – to dash; to drive quickly
vb. 6. 1526 – to manifest opposition or antipathy, esp. in a scornful or disdainful manner
vb. 7. 1583 obs. – to urge or incite; to spur
vb. 8. a1722 obs. – to spread or scatter
• SPURN-COW
n. 1614 rare – a cow-herd, a cow-puncher, a cowboy
• SPURRING
n. 1842 – a railway side-track
• SPURRINGS
n. 1787 – the banns of marriage published in church
• SPUR ROAD
n. 1883 – a connecting road that branches off from a main highway
• SPURT
n. 1. 1859 Amer. sl. – a small amount; a bit
n. 2. 1859 – a sudden outbreak or outburst of feeling, action, etc.
• SPURTLE
n. c1700 – a sword
vb. 1. 1633 rare – to besprinkle, to bespatter
vb. 2. 1682 – to sputter
vb. 3. 1858 rare – to cause to spurt or spatter
• SPURTLED
adj. 1513 Sc. obs. – speckled, spotted, variegated
• SPURTLET
n. 1921 rare – a little spurt
• SPURT MODEL
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a fast car
• SPURTY
adj. 1894 rare – intermittent, spasmodic; characterized by spurts
• SPUT
vb. c1175 obs. rare – to urge, to incite
• SPUTAMINOUS
adj. 1598 obs. rare – of the nature of spittle; characterized by the presence of saliva
• SPUTATION
n. 1657 obs. – a spitting
• SPUTATIVE
adj. a1639 obs. rare – given to excessive spitting or salivation
• SPUTE
n. 1886 Eng. dial. – a dispute, contention
vb. 1. a1225 obs. exc. Eng. dial. – to dispute; to contend in disputation
vb. 2. 1382 obs. – to spit on a person or on something
• SPUTES
n. Bk1998 sl. – sport utility vehicles
• SPUTING
n. c1250 obs. rare – a disputing; disputation
• SPUTISOUN
n. c1390 obs. rare – disputation
• SPUTOUS
adj. c1420 obs. rare – full of despite; exhibiting contempt or haughtiness
• SPUTTER-BUDGET
n. 1915 Amer. dial. – a person who makes undue fuss about nothing; a fuss-budget
• SPUTTERER
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a machine gun
• SPUTTERY
adj. 1858 rare – inclined to sputter or burst out explosively
• SPUZZY
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – excellent; first-rate
• SPY
n. c1380 obs. rare – an ambush, an ambuscade
• SPY IN THE CAB
n. 1968 colloq. – a tachograph; a device in a motor vehicle for recording its speed, travel time, and other information automatically
• SPY WEDNESDAY
n. 1842 Ireland – the Wednesday before Easter (said to be in allusion to Judas)
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