Spluttering Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ฌ
spluttering
[หsplสtษrษชล ]
Definition
speech errors
To splutter means to speak in a rapid, confused, or sputtering manner, often due to excitement or agitation. It can also refer to the act of making a series of explosive sounds while emitting gases or liquids.
Synonyms
babble, falter, spew, spout, stutter.
Examples of usage
- She started spluttering her excuses when caught off guard.
- The engine was spluttering before it finally stopped.
- In his excitement, he began spluttering incoherent words.
- The politician was spluttering when questioned about the scandal.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Psychology
- People often splutter when they feel overwhelmed, showing a physical response to strong emotions.
- Anxiety can lead to spluttering, as the body reacts to stress, affecting speech patterns.
- Spluttering can also occur in children as they learn to express themselves, indicating excitement or anxiety.
Literature
- In many classic novels, spluttering is used to depict characters in moments of great passion or rage, adding emotional depth.
- Authors like Charles Dickens often illustrate spluttering as a comedic effect to highlight a character's flustered state.
- Playful dialogues in modern literature sometimes include spluttering to convey humor or chaos in conversations.
Pop Culture
- In cartoons, characters often splutter when theyโre shocked or flustered, adding comic relief.
- Movies frequently feature spluttering as a sign of character embarrassment, often leading to humorous situations.
- Stand-up comedians might exaggerate spluttering for comedic effect, capturing the audience's attention.
Science
- Phonetics studies sound production, where spluttering may refer to the sudden release of air during speech.
- In combustion, spluttering can happen when fuel burns inconsistently, leading to an uneven flame.
- Understanding spluttering in fluid dynamics reflects how liquids can be interrupted by gas bubbles, similar to how speech can be interrupted.
Origin of 'spluttering'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Middle English 'sputteren', which means to spout or spit.
- It is associated with the sound of something bursting, like a small explosion.
- Similar words include 'stutter' and 'falter', all suggesting a breakdown in smooth speech.
The term 'splutter' originated from a blend of the word 'splutter', which has roots in the mid-17th century, and may be associated with the older word 'sputter,' which describes the act of spitting or producing small bursts of liquid, often related to bubbling or hissing. The word 'sputter' derived from the Middle English 'sputteren,' showing how the action of producing such sounds is akin to the uncoordinated nature of its meaning. Spluttering in speech conveys a level of intensity, excitement, or confusion, highlighting the chaotic nature of the verbal output. Over time, the use of 'spluttering' expanded into everyday language, where it hints at emotional states or moments of turmoil during communication.
Word Frequency Rank
This word's position of #33,200 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.
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- 33197 hydrolyzing
- 33198 huffing
- 33199 crinoline
- 33200 spluttering
- 33201 dissidence
- 33202 unenthusiastic
- 33203 universalizing
- ...