Spittle: meaning, definitions and examples

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spittle

[ˈspɪt(ə)l ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

droplets from mouth

Spittle refers to the small drops of saliva that come out of a person's mouth when they talk or spit. It is a natural bodily fluid that helps with the digestion process.

Synonyms

drool, saliva, slobber.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
spittle	Commonly used to describe small amounts of saliva that are ejected from the mouth when someone speaks, coughs, or sneezes, often unintentionally. His face was speckled with spittle after the loud argument. She noticed spittle on her glasses after he sneezed.
saliva	The formal term for the watery liquid produced in the mouth to aid in chewing and digestion. It is used in scientific or medical contexts. Saliva helps break down food for easier digestion. The doctor took a saliva sample for the test.
drool	Often used to describe saliva that falls from the mouth in a slow, uncontrolled manner, especially when someone is sleeping, hungry, or experiencing relaxed muscles. The baby began to drool as he saw the bottle of milk. He woke up with drool on his pillow.
slobber	Has a somewhat negative connotation and is used to describe excessive saliva that drips or runs from the mouth, often in a messy or unappealing way. The dog slobbered all over my new shoes. He was so drunk that he started to slobber.

Examples of usage

He wiped away the spittle from his chin.
The child's face was covered in spittle after blowing bubbles.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

expression of contempt

Spittle can also refer to a contemptuous expression or gesture, especially when accompanied by spitting. It is a sign of disrespect or disdain towards someone.

Synonyms

contempt, disdain, spit.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
spittle	This term refers to small amounts of saliva, often seen or described in a context where it is noticeable yet not meant to express disgust. A bit of spittle gathered at the corner of his mouth as he spoke passionately
spit	Refers to the act of forcibly ejecting saliva from the mouth. This can be used in both neutral contexts, such as when clearing one's mouth, or in negative contexts to express strong feelings of disrespect or anger. He had to spit out the bitter medicine / In a sudden burst of anger, he spat at the ground near their feet
disdain	This word is employed to show a lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike. It usually implies a sense of superiority. This word also has a negative connotation. He spoke of the competitor's work with obvious disdain
contempt	Used to express a strong feeling of disapproval or deep-seated disdain for someone or something, often with moral judgement. This term carries a negative connotation. She looked at him with pure contempt after discovering his betrayal

Examples of usage

He responded to the insult with a spittle of contempt.
The crowd's reaction was a mix of cheers and spittle.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'spittle' comes from the Old English word 'spittol', which means saliva.
It has connections to similar terms in other languages, like 'saliva' in Latin, which also means the same thing.
The root of the word highlights the idea of something being ejected or thrown out.

Health

Saliva plays an important role in digestion, mixing with food to help break it down.
It contains enzymes that start the digestion process and antibacterial substances that help keep your mouth clean.
Humans produce around 0.5 to 1.5 liters of saliva each day, which is essential for tasting and swallowing food.

Cultural References

In various cultures, the act of spitting can be seen as a sign of disrespect, while in others, it may have specific ritual meanings.
Spittle is often used in literature to symbolize anger or intense emotion, sometimes depicted dramatically in stories and poetry.
In medieval times, spitting was believed to ward off evil spirits in certain cultures.

Physics

When speaking quickly, spittle can be projected due to the force of vocalization, demonstrating basic principles of fluid dynamics.
The speed at which these droplets travel can be influenced by the force and angle of the speech, making it an interesting study in physics.
The patterns formed by droplets can be studied to understand how particles move in air.

Psychology

The way we speak and produce spittle can reveal emotions; excitement may lead to more saliva production.
Certain anxiety disorders can cause increased saliva production, manifesting as more frequent swallowing or drooling.
Body language, including how one speaks and manages spittle, contributes to non-verbal communication and social interactions.

Translations

Translations of the word "spittle" in other languages:

🇵🇹 cuspe

🇮🇳 थूक

🇩🇪 Spucke

🇮🇩 ludah

🇺🇦 слина

🇵🇱 ślina

🇯🇵 唾

🇫🇷 salive

🇪🇸 saliva

🇹🇷 tükürük

🇰🇷 침

🇸🇦 لعاب

🇨🇿 slina

🇸🇰 slina

🇨🇳 唾液

🇸🇮 slina

🇮🇸 munnvatn

🇰🇿 сілекей

🇬🇪 ნერწყვი

🇦🇿 tüpürcək

🇲🇽 saliva

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,910, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

...
27907 opprobrium
27908 idyll
27909 funky
27910 spittle
27911 stranding
27912 amoeba
27913 tousled
...