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Spilt Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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spilt

[spɪlt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

releasing liquid

To spill means to cause a liquid to flow over the edge of a container, often accidentally. This can happen in various contexts, such as when someone drops a drink or flips a container. Spilling can also refer to shedding or releasing something, not limited to liquids, such as spilling secrets. The term often implies a mess that requires cleanup.

Synonyms

overturn, pour out, slosh.

Examples of usage

  • I spilled my coffee on the table.
  • She accidentally spilled the juice on the floor.
  • He spilled the beans about the surprise party.
Context #2 | Noun

liquid accident

A spilt (noun) refers to an instance of spilling, specifically a situation in which a liquid has been unintentionally caused to flow out of its container. This may lead to a mess that requires attention. Spilts can vary in size, from a few drops to a large puddle, and can occur in different environments such as kitchens or during outdoor activities.

Synonyms

overflow, spillover, splash.

Examples of usage

  • There was a spilt on the tablecloth.
  • Clean up the spilt before someone slips.
  • The kitchen had a spilt of milk that needed mopping.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Cultural References

  • In literature and art, spilled items often symbolize chaos or loss of control, as seen in famous works depicting spilled liquids.
  • The phrase 'spilled milk' refers to unnecessary worry over something that cannot be changed, often used in parenting narratives.

Psychology

  • Spilling a drink can evoke strong emotional reactions, ranging from embarrassment to frustration, often reflecting our responses to mistakes.
  • Research in behavioral psychology suggests that how we react to spills can indicate our coping mechanisms in response to stress.

Science

  • When a liquid is spilled, it can interact with surfaces in complex ways, leading to different patterns of spread based on viscosity and surface tension.
  • Studies in fluid dynamics explore how different liquids behave when spilled, including how the shape and texture of the surface affect the spread.

Pop Culture

  • Spillage incidents often become humorous moments in movies and TV shows, illustrating clumsiness or accidents that lead to laughs.
  • The phrase 'don't cry over spilled milk' is a common idiom in popular culture, encouraging others to move on from small mistakes.

Origin of 'spilt'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'spilt' is the past tense of 'spill', which comes from the Old English word 'spillan' meaning 'to destroy'.
  • The variant 'spilt' is commonly used in British English, while 'spilled' is more frequent in American English.

The word 'spill' originates from the Old English term 'spillan,' which means to destroy or to ruin. This root evolved through Middle English into 'spillen,' carrying the sense of causing something to flow out or become shed. Over the centuries, the meaning shifted from a more general sense of destruction to specifically denote the action of causing liquids or other substances to flow over the edge of containers or boundaries. 'Spilt' is the past tense and past participle form of the verb 'spill,' and it has been used in the English language since the 14th century. Its usage has remained largely consistent, emphasizing the action of an unintentional outflow, often with implications of messiness and the need for cleanup.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,310, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.