Sputtered: meaning, definitions and examples
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sputtered
[ ˈspʌtəred ]
mechanical failure
The term 'sputtered' refers to the action of producing a series of explosive sounds, often associated with engines or machinery that are struggling to function properly. It can also refer to the discontinuous emission of particles or droplets, commonly seen in contexts like cooking or in sputtering equipment in a lab. In a broader sense, to sputter can mean to speak in a rapid or confused manner, often while experiencing difficulty in expressing oneself clearly.
Synonyms
exploded, spat, spluttered, stuttered
Examples of usage
- The car sputtered before coming to a halt.
- He sputtered his words when he was taken by surprise.
- The engine began to sputter, signaling a problem.
- The frying pan sputtered as the oil heated up.
Translations
Translations of the word "sputtered" in other languages:
🇵🇹 esparramado
🇮🇳 स्पुतरित
🇩🇪 gesprüht
🇮🇩 tersembur
🇺🇦 спричинений
🇵🇱 rozpryskujący
🇯🇵 スパッタリングされた
🇫🇷 éclaboussé
🇪🇸 esparcido
🇹🇷 dağıtılmış
🇰🇷 스퍼터링된
🇸🇦 مُتَفَجّر
🇨🇿 rozprášený
🇸🇰 rozprášený
🇨🇳 喷溅的
🇸🇮 razpršen
🇮🇸 sprautaður
🇰🇿 шашылған
🇬🇪 დაფანტული
🇦🇿 sıçratılmış
🇲🇽 esparcido
Etymology
The word 'sputter' originates from the mid-17th century, derived from a combination of 'spout' and the suffix '-er.' It initially described the action of something that shoots out in small, uncontrolled bursts, particularly in relation to liquids or gases. The onomatopoeic nature of the word emphasizes the sound associated with the action, making it vivid and relatable in various contexts, from mechanical failure to unsteady speech. As technology progressed, the term found relevance in scientific fields, especially in describing processes like sputtering in physics and engineering, where particles are ejected from a target due to energetic bombardment. Over time, 'sputter' has evolved to encompass both mechanical and verbal situations, demonstrating its versatility in the English language.