Sputtering: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word originates from the Middle English term 'sputtren,' which meant to spit or spray.
• It may be related to the Old Dutch word 'spatteren,' also meaning to scatter or splash.

Science

• Sputtering can occur in various physical contexts; for example, gas engines often sputter when they’re low on fuel or have a blockage.
• In physics, sputtering is a process where atoms are ejected from a target material due to bombardment by energetic particles.

Technology

• In electronics, sputtering is used to deposit thin films of materials, which are vital in making computer chips and solar panels.
• Sputtering is also a technique used in vacuum coating processes to enhance surfaces with metals and other materials.

Literature

• Sputtering often appears in descriptive writing to convey feelings of anxiety, excitement, or frustration, capturing a character’s emotions.
• Authors use sputtering dialogue to illustrate how characters struggle to express their thoughts clearly, emphasizing tension.

Pop Culture

• In film and TV, characters who sputter when they speak create comedic moments, often emphasizing surprise or indignation.
• Sputtering engines have become iconic in film, often representing a car on its last legs or a chase scene gone wrong.

With rank #17,518, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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• 17515 aggravation
• 17516 predictability
• 17517 beckoned
• 17518 sputtering
• 17519 ruddy
• 17520 persevere
• 17521 teeming
• ...